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Tag: Russia

Istanbul Prepares for Pivotal Peace Talks Amid Absence of Putin Istanbul is once again in the diplomatic spotlight as delegations from Russia and Ukraine converge for the first direct peace negotiations in over three years. The talks, hosted by Turkiye and championed by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, are seen as a potential turning point in the grinding conflict that has raged since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. However, the absence of Russian President Vladimir Putin from the official list of attendees has cast a shadow over hopes for a breakthrough. Putin’s No-Show: Kremlin Sends Senior Technocrats Despite being the architect of the proposal for direct talks “without preconditions,” Vladimir Putin will not be present in Istanbul. The Kremlin’s delegation is led by presidential aide Vladimir Medinsky and Defense Minister Alexander Fomin, both experienced negotiators from the early days of the conflict. Putin’s decision to stay away comes after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky publicly challenged him to attend, suggesting that only a face-to-face meeting could yield real progress. The last and only direct meeting between Zelensky and Putin took place in Paris in December 2019 under the Normandy Format, long before the current hostilities escalated. Zelensky’s Stance and the Ukrainian Delegation President Zelensky, who has been vocal about his willingness to meet Putin directly, is expected to be in Ankara for the talks. He has insisted that Ukraine is open to “any format” of peace negotiations, but has drawn a red line: he will only engage in substantive dialogue if Putin is present. This uncompromising stance reflects the deep mistrust between the two sides and the high stakes involved. Zelensky’s team will be accompanied by senior Ukrainian diplomats and military officials, prepared to push for an immediate ceasefire and a roadmap to peace. International Involvement: U.S. and Global Stakeholders The United States is sending a high-level delegation led by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, underscoring Washington’s commitment to mediating an end to Europe’s largest land conflict since World War II. Former President Donald Trump, who had hinted at attending, will not be present, but has called for a 30-day ceasefire as a first step. The presence of U.S. officials is matched by interest from other global actors, including French President Emmanuel Macron and Brazilian President Lula da Silva, the latter reportedly urging Putin to reconsider his absence. Turkey’s Role: Balancing Act and Diplomatic Ambitions President Erdogan has positioned Turkiye as a neutral mediator, maintaining relations with both Moscow and Kyiv. Ankara has provided military aid to Ukraine while opposing Western sanctions on Russia, carving out a unique role as a potential broker. Erdogan’s office has emphasized that a comprehensive ceasefire is essential for meaningful negotiations and has called the current moment a “historic turning point” for the region. Sticking Points: Ceasefire, Territory, and Prisoner Exchanges Key issues on the table include the immediate cessation of hostilities, the status of Russian-occupied territories, and the fate of prisoners of war. Previous drafts of peace proposals have skirted around the status of Crimea, leaving it under Russian occupation without Ukrainian recognition, while deferring decisions on other contested regions. Russia continues to demand the lifting of all Western sanctions and limits on Ukraine’s military, while Kyiv insists on maintaining its sovereignty and territorial integrity. Prospects and Challenges: What Lies Ahead While the talks in Istanbul mark a rare opportunity for dialogue, the absence of both Putin and Trump has tempered expectations for a decisive breakthrough. Analysts note that without the direct involvement of the principal leaders, negotiations may struggle to move beyond procedural discussions. Nevertheless, the resumption of direct talks after years of stalemate is seen as a positive step, with hopes that even incremental progress could lay the groundwork for future high-level engagement. Background: From Normandy to Istanbul The last direct negotiations between Russian and Ukrainian representatives took place in Istanbul in March 2022, shortly after the invasion began. Those talks failed to produce a lasting agreement, and the conflict has since claimed tens of thousands of lives and displaced millions. The renewed diplomatic push comes amid mounting international pressure and growing fatigue on both sides. Looking Beyond the Headlines While much attention is focused on the high-profile attendees and the optics of the talks, seasoned observers point to the importance of the technocrats and diplomats at the table. These officials, many of whom have participated in previous rounds of negotiations, possess the institutional memory and expertise necessary to navigate the complex web of demands, grievances, and potential compromises. As Istanbul hosts these critical talks, the world watches to see whether the absence of Vladimir Putin will prove a fatal flaw or whether the groundwork is being laid for a future summit that could finally bring peace to Ukraine. Slug: russia-ukraine-turkiye-peace-talks-putin-absent Excerpt: Russia-Ukraine-Turkiye peace talks begin in Istanbul without Vladimir Putin, raising doubts about a breakthrough but marking the first direct negotiations in three years. President Zelensky and U.S. officials attend, as Turkiye pushes for a ceasefire and diplomatic progress.

Russia-Ukraine-Turkiye Peace Talks: Putin Absent as Istanbul Hosts High-Stakes Negotiations

May 15, 2025 Richards News, International News, Political News

Russia-Ukraine-Turkiye peace talks begin in Istanbul without Vladimir Putin, raising doubts about a breakthrough but marking the first direct negotiations in three years. President Zelensky and U.S. officials attend, as Turkiye pushes for a ceasefire and diplomatic progress.

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Vladimir Putin’s military ambitions and the U.S. build-up at Kadena Air Base are reshaping the Pacific’s security landscape. As Russia deepens ties with China and expands its reach from the Kuril Islands to Africa, Kadena remains a critical U.S. outpost, highlighting the intensifying rivalry and its global ramifications.

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