\nIn an effort to promote a ceasefire framework and find a solution to the ongoing crisis, senior representatives from Russia and Ukraine are convening today (Thursday) for a rare round of direct talks. This is the first attempt in three years to hold a direct dialogue with international mediation \u2013 this time led by Turkish President Erdo\u011fan, who has positioned Turkey as a central mediator between the parties.<\/p>\n
The meeting is being held at Istanbul\u2019s prestigious Dolmabah\u00e7e Palace, the same venue that hosted talks between the sides in 2022. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived in the city to discuss a proposed 30-day ceasefire, which would allow humanitarian aid into areas hit hard by fighting and the delivery of winter supplies to isolated communities. However, Zelenskyy made clear that, from his perspective, there is no point in serious discussion without Russian President Vladimir Putin\u2019s presence. \u201cReal talks require the decision-maker,\u201d he said. \u201cEverything else is symbolic diplomacy.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Russian Delegation Without Putin<\/strong> Widespread Skepticism<\/strong> Turkey as Mediator<\/strong> Three Years of Fighting With No End in Sight<\/strong> After a long disconnect, delegations from Russia and Ukraine meet today in Istanbul for a renewed attempt at political resolution \u2013 this time under the mediation of the Turkish president.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":44,"featured_media":23172,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[8,6,65],"tags":[1898,4108,4265,2047,5710,5709,5708,3577,4347,3091],"class_list":["post-23170","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-politics","category-security","category-world","tag-ceasefire","tag-erdogan","tag-europe","tag-humanitarian-aid","tag-international-mediation","tag-peace-talks","tag-russia-ukraine-war","tag-turkey","tag-vladimir-putin","tag-volodymyr-zelenskyy"],"yoast_head":"\n
\nThe Russian delegation includes Putin\u2019s close adviser Vladimir Medinsky, Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin, and Deputy Defense Minister Alexander Fomin. According to the Kremlin, Putin \u201chas been updated on the progress of the talks and will follow them from afar,\u201d but his absence is perceived in Ukraine and internationally as a sign of insincerity \u2013 or as an attempt to buy time while relying on military gains on the ground.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/reganews.co.il\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/2-113-1024x683.webp\")
\nWithin the international community, there is considerable skepticism regarding the likelihood of these talks succeeding. European sources believe the sides are \u201cexploring options\u201d ahead of summer, but are still far from reaching a comprehensive agreement. Ukraine continues to demand the full withdrawal of Russian forces from occupied territory, while Russia insists on maintaining control over areas in eastern and southern Ukraine and is setting preconditions for any negotiations on permanent borders.<\/p>\n
\nTurkey, for its part, emphasizes that it is a \u201cneutral party seeking to promote a political solution, not to impose agreements.\u201d President Erdo\u011fan opened the talks with a public speech in which he called on both sides \u201cto show political courage and put an end to the unnecessary suffering of millions.\u201d Turkish officials told local media that their immediate goal is to secure a humanitarian ceasefire and to explore the possibility of opening limited trade channels in non-frontline areas.<\/p>\n
\nThe war in Ukraine began in February 2022, when Russia launched a large-scale military invasion of Ukrainian territory. The invasion drew widespread condemnation and led to unprecedented economic sanctions against Russia by Western countries. Since then, intense fighting has continued mainly in eastern and southern Ukraine, causing tens of thousands of deaths, massive destruction, and a large wave of refugees. Despite diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict, both sides remain entrenched in rigid positions, and most negotiations to date have failed to produce a breakthrough.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"