On May 15, 2025, anticipated Russia-Ukraine peace talks in Istanbul faced a setback when Russian President Vladimir Putin declined to attend, sending a lower-level delegation led by aide Vladimir Medinsky instead.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, after meeting Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara, criticised the move, calling Russia’s team “decorative” and a sign of disrespect to both Erdogan and U.S. President Donald Trump.
The talks, the first direct negotiations since March 2022, aimed to address the ongoing war but were overshadowed by Putin’s absence. Zelenskiy, who also opted not to travel to Istanbul, tasked Defence Minister Rustem Umerov with leading Ukraine’s delegation to discuss a proposed 30-day unconditional ceasefire. Russia, however, insists on addressing broader issues, including Ukraine’s neutrality and territorial concessions, before agreeing to a truce.
With Russia and Ukraine set to talk peace in Istanbul, analysts break down the intricacies of the conflict and what both sides must do to end the impasse
🔗 https://t.co/gOzgAyrkrD pic.twitter.com/z4cbDdraXb
— TRT World (@trtworld) May 15, 2025Low Expectations from the U.S.
U.S. President Donald Trump expressed scepticism about progress, stating no breakthrough would occur without a direct meeting between himself and Putin. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio echoed this, telling reporters in Antalya, “We didn’t have high expectations for these talks.” Rubio plans to meet Ukraine’s delegation on Friday, which will be joined by U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Keith Kellogg.
Zelenskiy accused Russia of lacking seriousness, stating, “No meeting time, no agenda, no high-level delegation, this is personal disrespect.” Russia countered that Ukraine was staging a “show” around the talks. The lack of clarity on the meeting’s schedule, originally set for 10 a.m. at Dolmabahce Palace, added to the diplomatic confusion.
"I didn't think it was possible for Putin to go if I'm not there"
US President Donald Trump tells reporters in Doha he "wasn't planning" to attend Ukraine-Russia peace talks in Turkey https://t.co/91BJhjPUju pic.twitter.com/Z9ri5E2UDS
— Bloomberg (@business) May 15, 2025The talks follow Putin’s May 11 proposal for direct negotiations, which Zelenskiy accepted only if Putin attended personally. Ukraine’s push for an immediate ceasefire contrasts with Russia’s demand to revisit a 2022 draft agreement, which included concessions like military downsizing that Kyiv rejects. With Russian forces controlling nearly a fifth of Ukraine, the stakes remain high.
Turkey, a mediator in past agreements like the 2022 Black Sea Grain Initiative, continues to facilitate. However, mutual distrust and differing objectives regarding Ukraine’s security guarantees versus Russia’s territorial demands dim prospects for a breakthrough.
