Ukraine and Russia Meet in Istanbul for First Direct Talks in Over Three Years
After more than three years of conflict, Ukraine and Russia sat down face-to-face for the first time in a long while, meeting in Istanbul on Friday. The goal was to explore ways to end the fighting that has brought devastating loss and upheaval to Ukraine—and to Europe’s peace.
Kyiv’s top priority remains an “unconditional ceasefire.” The war has already cost tens of thousands of lives, shattered communities, and forced millions from their homes. Moscow, meanwhile, says it wants to tackle what it calls the “root causes” of the conflict, aiming to revive discussions that faltered last year, when Russia pushed broad territorial and political demands.
The talks opened in Istanbul’s historic Dolmabahce Palace, where Turkey’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan welcomed the delegations. The room held a tense atmosphere, with the Russian and Ukrainian teams seated across from one another beneath their flags, as dozens of reporters waited outside.
The day before, harsh words flew between the two sides. Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky accused Russia of not genuinely seeking peace. Still, the very fact that the meeting was happening suggested some movement, spurred by intense diplomatic pressure—especially from Washington.
Notably, Russian President Vladimir Putin chose not to attend in person, sending a secondary delegation instead. Zelensky criticized this decision, pointing out that those sent lacked real authority to negotiate.
Discussions in the background also included the possibility of a direct meeting between Putin and former U.S. President Donald Trump, which Kremlin officials described as vital for progress. Trump himself said no real solution would come without such a summit.
From Kyiv’s side, Zelensky’s chief aide, Andriy Yermak, emphasized the urgency: Ukraine is ready for a lasting ceasefire without conditions. Ahead of the Istanbul talks, Ukrainian officials met with key Western diplomats to coordinate their approach.
Yet Russia’s team, led by Vladimir Medinsky—who previously headed the failed 2022 talks—made it clear Moscow’s demands remain firm. Medinsky insisted their mission was to find “possible solutions and points of contact,” though Russia has repeatedly ruled out giving up any territory currently under its control.
Kyiv’s lead negotiator is Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, who has personal ties to Crimea, the peninsula annexed by Russia in 2014.
Since the breakdown of talks in early 2022, the conflict has only intensified. Russia controls roughly a fifth of Ukraine’s territory, and fighting continued even as diplomats gathered in Istanbul, with reports of casualties just hours before talks began.
European leaders condemned Putin for skipping the meeting. The EU’s top diplomat called Russia’s actions “clearly” against peace, while NATO’s chief said Putin made a “big mistake” by sending a lower-level team.
Though the road ahead remains uncertain, the Istanbul talks mark the first direct dialogue in years—an opportunity, however slim, for both sides to explore a path toward peace.
