Putin does not go to Russia-Ukraine negotiations today today. Neither Trump. Who did Moscow send and what could be discussed in Istanbul
Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin have noted that they will not participate in Turkey on what could be the first direct peace negotiations between Moscow and Kiev in the last three years, the Kremlin sending a group of experienced technocrats, reports Reuters.
Putin proposed direct negotiations on Sunday with Ukraine on Thursday in Istanbul, “without any prior condition.” The Kremlin kept the suspense on who will go to Turkey until Wednesday night, when he announced that the presidential counselor Vladimir Medinsky and the Deputy Minister of Defense Alexander Fomin will be part.
Vladimir Putin's name did not appear on the list.
Who sends Putin to Istanbul. The Kremlin announced the composition of the Russian delegation in negotiations with Ukraine
After Moscow announced the composition of the delegation, an American official said that Trump, who is on a tour in the Middle East with visits to three countries, will not participate either, although the American leader had previously declared that he takes the option to go to Istanbul.
Although Putin had not stated that he would participate in person, the absence of Russian and American presidents reduces expectations for major progress in stopping the war that lasts over three years.
What could be negotiated in Istanbul
Ukrainian President Volodimir Zelenski had challenged Putin to participate in the discussions “if he is not afraid”, entering a competition to show them to Trump who wants the peace between Ukraine or Russia.
Although the Kiev leader was on the way to Turkey on Wednesday night, according to an Ukrainian official, he had said he would take part only if Putin was present.
In his Wednesday night video speech, Zelenski stated that Ukraine would decide on his steps for Turkey Peace Discussions Once there is clarity on Putin's participation.
Zelenski, willing to accept any format of negotiations with Moscow. “I wait to see who arrives from Russia”
“The answers to all the questions about this war – why it started, why they continue – all these answers are in Moscow,” Zelenski said. “How the war will end depends on the world,” he added.
Trump wants the two parties to sign a 30 -day fire cease to put an end to the largest land war in World War II, and a Russian deputy said on Wednesday that there could also be discussions about a huge exchange of prisoners of war.
Zelenski supports an immediate cessation of 30 -day fire, but Putin said that he wants to start negotiations in which the details of such fire cease could be discussed.
More sanctions against Russia?
Trump, who is increasingly dissatisfied with both Russia and Ukraine, which he tries to push them towards a peace agreement, said he has the variant of secondary sanctions against Moscow if he considers that he blocks the process.
US officials have talked about possible financial sanctions, as well as possible secondary sanctions on Russian oil buyers.
The US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and the high -ranking emissaries Steve Witkoff and Keith Kellogg.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sîbiha announced X on Thursday morning that he met Rubio to share Zeenski's peace vision and to “coordinate positions during this decisive week.”
Medinsky and Fomin were also at the 2022 negotiations
Medinsky and Fomin, who are part of the Russian delegation, also took part in the last series of negotiations between the two parties in the first weeks of the war. In the delegation for Thursday, there are other senior military officials and information services.
Direct discussions between negotiators in Ukraine and Russia last took place in Istanbul in March 2022, one month after Putin started the “special military operation”.
Given that Russian forces advances in Ukraine and currently controls about one fifth of the country, the Kremlin leader has practically offered any concession so far. In his proposal on Saturday, Putin said that the discussions in Turkey will target a sustainable peace.
He mentioned in particular the negotiations of 2022 and the project of agreement known as the Istanbul statement.
According to this agreement, among others, Ukraine would have agreed with the permanent neutrality in exchange for security guarantees from the five permanent members of the UN Security Council: UK, China, France, Russia and the United States, and other nations, including Belarus, Canada, Germany, Israel, Poland and Turkey, according to a project.
But Kiev officials say that accepting Ukraine's neutrality is a red line that they will not overcome.
UN chief: Negotiation of peace in Ukraine will not be easy. We offer all the support including a peacekeeping mission
