U.S. Senator Marco Rubio, currently in Turkey after participating in a NATO foreign ministers' meeting, emphasized the need for direct interactions between former President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin as pivotal for any breakthroughs. Trump, while traveling in the Middle East, echoed similar sentiments, suggesting that real progress hinges on a meeting between him and Putin. He remarked, "Nothing's going to happen until Putin and I get together."
Peace Talks in Istanbul: Ukraine's Zelensky Critiques Russian Delegation's Level22 minutes agoWidespread skepticism surrounds Ukraine-Russia peace discussions as key leaders call for involvement of Trump and Putin.29 minutes agoUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has confirmed that his country will participate in peace talks in Istanbul, expressing concerns over the low-level Russian delegation and urging for direct engagement of Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin to achieve any significant progress.
Peace Talks in Istanbul: Ukraine's Zelensky Critiques Russian Delegation's Level22 minutes agoWidespread skepticism surrounds Ukraine-Russia peace discussions as key leaders call for involvement of Trump and Putin.29 minutes agoUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has confirmed that his country will participate in peace talks in Istanbul, expressing concerns over the low-level Russian delegation and urging for direct engagement of Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin to achieve any significant progress.
In a significant development, Ukraine will send a delegation led by Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov to Istanbul to engage with Russian officials in peace talks aimed at resolving ongoing tensions. President Volodymyr Zelensky criticized the Russian delegation for being "low-level," questioning their sincerity in the negotiation process. Russian presidential aide Vladimir Medinsky, however, defended the Kremlin's competency, stating they have the necessary expertise to partake in the discussions.
The peace talks are the first face-to-face discussions between Ukraine and Russia since 2022, with Zelensky urging Putin to meet in person to demonstrate respect for global leaders like Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Trump. "No time of the meeting, no agenda, no high-level of delegation - this is personal disrespect to Erdogan, to Trump," noted Zelensky. Meanwhile, fighting persists in Ukraine, with Russia reportedly capturing additional territory, intensifying the urgency of negotiations for a long-term resolution to the ongoing conflict.
