By Charles Maduka
Russian and Ukrainian representatives met in Istanbul on Friday for their first peace talks since 2022, amid continued fighting and high tensions in Europe’s deadliest conflict since World War II.
Ukraine is calling for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire, while Russia wants to revisit earlier negotiations from 2022, which included demands for territory and political changes in Ukraine. Despite global pressure, expectations remain low for any major breakthrough.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, speaking in Ankara, criticized Moscow’s commitment to peace, accusing them of sending delegates without decision-making power. Russian President Vladimir Putin proposed the meeting but chose not to attend, delegating the talks to Vladimir Medinsky, a former culture minister.
Zelensky has said he is willing to meet Putin directly but insisted meaningful talks must involve top-level decision-makers. The United States and European leaders have also voiced disappointment over the low-level Russian delegation.
Ukraine’s delegation, led by Defence Minister Rustem Umerov, says their top goal is to secure a permanent ceasefire and possibly prepare for a meeting between Zelensky and Putin.
While Russia maintains it will not give up any of the Ukrainian territory it currently controls, its representatives claim they are open to finding “points of contact” to move discussions forward.
The last direct peace talks between both countries collapsed in March 2022, shortly after Russia launched its invasion. Since then, the war has continued, with heavy casualties and vast areas of Ukraine still under Russian occupation.
NATO and EU leaders have criticized Putin for missing the talks, calling it a missed opportunity to pursue peace.
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