Asger Risom
Speculation grows as Russia delays confirmation of its delegation for proposed Ukraine peace talks.
As global leaders hold their breath for a potential breakthrough in the war in Ukraine, uncertainty surrounds whether Russian President Vladimir Putin will attend planned peace talks in Istanbul this week.
Kremlin Awaits Presidential Order
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Wednesday that a Russian delegation would be present for the discussions scheduled for May 15, but added that the exact composition of the delegation would only be announced once President Putin gives the formal order.
“We will announce it once we receive the president’s instructions. No such orders have been given yet,” Peskov stated, as reported by HotNews.
Despite the ambiguity, Peskov maintained that Putin’s offer for direct talks with Ukraine in Istanbul remains on the table. He confirmed that the Russian delegation will be present and will “await the arrival of their Ukrainian counterparts.”
International Pressure and Uncertainty
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has urged U.S. President Donald Trump to travel to Turkey, believing it could encourage Putin to attend. Trump, set to visit the region for meetings, has left open the possibility of stopping in Istanbul, though Secretary of State Marco Rubio is currently designated as the U.S. representative.
Meanwhile, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva added to the chorus of international voices pressing Putin to engage directly.
Speaking in Beijing before a planned stop in Moscow, Lula said:
“I will try to talk to Putin… it costs me nothing to tell him: ‘Hey, comrade Putin, go to Istanbul and negotiate, for God’s sake.’”
A Pivotal Moment
President Zelensky has confirmed he will travel to Turkey regardless of Russia’s decision, meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara.
The talks, should they occur, would mark the first face-to-face negotiations between the two sides since early 2022. Previous attempts in Turkey at that time ended without resolution.
As the world watches, the outcome remains uncertain. The leaders of Ukraine, France, Germany, the U.K., and Poland have jointly demanded a 30-day ceasefire starting May 12, warning Russia of “massive sanctions” for noncompliance.
Putin has so far ignored the ultimatum but has reiterated his willingness for “direct” talks on May 15 in Istanbul.