Asger Risom
Zelensky criticizes Putin’s absence and low-level delegation as Istanbul meetings begin
Amid growing war fatigue and diplomatic pressure, the first tentative steps toward peace between Russia and Ukraine are set to take place in Istanbul.
But hopes for real progress are dim as both sides enter the talks with mistrust, divergent objectives, and dramatically unequal delegations.
Symbolism Over Substance in Istanbul
On Thursday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky agreed to send a delegation to Istanbul for negotiations with Russia.
However, the symbolic nature of the talks was underscored by Moscow’s decision to send a low-ranking team, led by Vladimir Medinski, a former culture minister. Meanwhile, Zelensky appointed Defense Minister Rustem Umerov to head Kyiv’s delegation, joined by senior defense and intelligence officials.
Despite Turkish efforts to broker meaningful dialogue, it remains unclear whether direct Ukraine-Russia talks will even occur.
Trilateral meetings are planned between Turkey, the U.S., and each side separately, though a quadrilateral summit involving all four parties remains uncertain, according to sources in the Turkish Foreign Ministry.
Zelensky voiced frustration at Russia’s approach, calling Putin’s absence and the vague structure of the talks “disrespectful.”
“We cannot run around the world looking for Putin,” he said after meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. “No meeting time, no agenda, no high-level delegation — this is disrespect for me personally, for Erdoğan, for Trump,” he added, as reported by Digi24.
Ceasefire Demands Meet Strategic Delay
Ukraine is demanding an immediate, unconditional 30-day ceasefire, citing urgent humanitarian and strategic needs.
But Russia, which currently holds a battlefield advantage more than three years into the invasion, insists on preliminary talks to shape the terms of any truce.
Analysts warn that Moscow may be using the talks to stall for time while maintaining its operational edge.
According to Ukrainian officials, any delay risks enabling Russia to rearm and fortify occupied positions with additional Western-supplied weapons flowing to Ukraine only during conflict pauses.
While diplomacy remains essential, the current setup reflects a widening gulf between the warring nations, and a negotiated peace appears, for now, more aspirational than achievable.
