Kathrine Frich
Both parties arrived Monday, June 2, around 1:00 p.m. local time, with the Russian side reportedly arriving late by about an hour and a half.
Both parties arrived Monday, June 2, around 1:00 p.m. local time, with the Russian side reportedly arriving late by about an hour and a half.
Russians and Ukrainians Face Off in Istanbul
A new round of peace negotiations between Russian and Ukrainian delegations has officially begun in Istanbul, with Turkey acting as mediator.
The talks are being hosted at the historic Ciragan Palace, a site loaded with symbolic weight for such a high-stakes meeting.
Ciragan Palace Becomes a Battlefield of Diplomacy
The delegations entered the palace surrounded by senior Turkish officials.
Reuters reported that while the Russian representatives were mostly dressed in business suits, several members of the Ukrainian delegation wore military-style clothing, highlighting the very different tones and stakes each side brings to the table.
Turkey Steps Into the Ring as Peace Broker
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan is leading the mediation efforts.
Turkey’s has ongoingly made efforts to position itself as a diplomatic bridge between East and West.
The Turkish presence was not merely symbolic, their officials were in the room when talks began.
Ukraine Huddles With Allies Before Facing Russia
Before sitting down with the Russians, Ukrainian delegates Serhii Kyslitsia and Oleksandr Bevz coordinated strategy with representatives from Germany, Italy, and the UK.
This pre-meeting alignment suggests Ukraine is presenting a unified European front and won’t enter negotiations in isolation.
Zelensky Doubts Russian Intentions But Pushes Forward
Speaking from Vilnius, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky warned, “I’m not sure that the Russians will be ready for productive meetings, but we must always expect certain decisions.”
Despite his skepticism, he still pointed out the importance of issues like a ceasefire, the return of children taken by Russian forces, and the release of civilian prisoners and journalists.
Drone Strike in Russia Casts Shadow Over Peace Effort
Just a day before the Istanbul meeting, Ukraine carried out a covert drone strike that damaged 41 Russian aircraft, including bombers in Siberia.
The daring attack, far from the front lines, signals that Ukraine is escalating pressure while remaining open to peace discussions.
Ceasefire, Prisoner Exchanges, and NATO: The Sticking Points
According to a source in the Ukrainian delegation, there is hope for progress, but only if Moscow avoids repeating demands like Ukraine dropping its NATO ambitions or accepting the loss of occupied territory.
Meanwhile, Russia is expected to present a “memorandum” outlining its own conditions.
Lavrov Phones Washington Ahead of Istanbul Talks
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov spoke with U.S. Senator Marco Rubio on Sunday, according to Moscow’s foreign ministry.
Though details of the call remain vague, it’s another sign that global players are circling these negotiations with caution and intent.