Russian and Ukrainian officials are scheduled to meet in Istanbul on Friday for their first in-person peace talks in over three years, amid mounting pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump to end Europe’s most deadly conflict since World War II.
The talks will take place at Dolmabahce Palace along the Bosphorus Strait, marking a notable diplomatic step as the two sides last held direct negotiations in March 2022.
Read more: Putin and Trump to Miss Ukraine Peace Talks Proposed by Russian Leader
However, hopes for a significant breakthrough were further dampened on Thursday when Trump stated that no progress would be made without a personal meeting between himself and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
According to Turkish Foreign Ministry sources, a trilateral meeting involving Turkish, U.S., and Ukrainian officials is scheduled for 0745 GMT, followed by negotiations between Turkish, Russian, and Ukrainian delegations at 0930 GMT.
On Sunday, President Putin suggested direct discussions with Ukraine in Turkey but declined Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy’s invitation for a face-to-face meeting. Instead, Putin has delegated a team of mid-level officials to represent Russia.
President Zelenskiy criticized Putin’s absence, calling the Russian delegation “decorative” and arguing it signaled a lack of genuine interest in ending the war. In contrast, Russia accused Ukraine of attempting to use the talks for theatrical effect.
Russia considers the upcoming meeting a continuation of the early negotiations held in Istanbul during the initial phase of the war in 2022. However, the terms discussed at that time—such as major reductions to Ukraine’s military—are now seen as highly unfavorable by Kyiv.
Currently, with Russia occupying nearly 20% of Ukrainian territory, Putin continues to insist on longstanding demands: Ukraine must relinquish territory, abandon its bid to join NATO, and commit to neutrality.
Ukraine firmly rejects these conditions, equating them with surrender, and is seeking robust security assurances from international powers, particularly the United States.
The U.S. will be represented by Michael Anton, Director of Policy Planning at the State Department. Russia’s team is led by Kremlin aide Vladimir Medinsky and includes deputy ministers of defense and foreign affairs, as well as the head of military intelligence.
Ukraine’s delegation will be headed by Defence Minister Rustem Umerov, accompanied by top military and intelligence officials and the deputy foreign minister.
