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Trump, Donald

Ukraine Peace Talks Descend into Chaos Amid Posturing and Accusations

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Ukrainian and Russian delegations arrived in different cities, leading to uncertainty over whether peace talks would take place, but both sides eventually agreed to proceed, with a possible postponement to Friday. The talks came after President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia proposed direct negotiations between the two sides, which would be the first known face-to-face meeting since the war began in March 2022. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky slammed the Kremlin for its "disrespect" in sending a midlevel delegation, while Mr. Putin's envoy, Vladimir Medinsky, indicated that Russia would continue to seek concessions rather than an immediate cease-fire.

Key Takeaways:

  • The first peace talks in three years between Ukraine and Russia were pushed back to Friday, with both sides arriving in different cities and spending much of the day questioning whether they would meet.
  • President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine slammed the Kremlin for its "disrespect" in sending a midlevel delegation, while President Vladimir Putin of Russia indicated that Russia would continue to seek concessions rather than an immediate cease-fire.
  • Mr. Putin proposed direct talks between Russia and Ukraine, which would be the first known face-to-face meeting since the war began in March 2022.
  • Ukrainian and Russian delegations are in Turkey, with the United States and Turkey also involved in the talks.
  • President Trump's envoy, Keith Kellogg, is in Istanbul, while his special envoy for the Middle East and Russia, Steve Witkoff, is expected to arrive on Friday.
  • Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the Trump administration was "impatient" for progress in the peace talks and remained committed to a lasting peace.

Statistics:

  • The war has been deadlier in the first months of this year compared to the same period last year, according to the United Nations.[1]
  • President Putin proposed direct talks between Russia and Ukraine, a first since the war began in March 2022.[2]
  • Ukraine's President Zelensky wants an immediate and unconditional cease-fire, followed by negotiations over a potential peace deal.[3]
  • Mr. Putin appears confident of Russia's upper hand on the battlefield and is refusing to stop fighting before securing major concessions from Kyiv and the West.[4]
  • The talks in Turkey come amid a rapidly shifting diplomatic landscape, with President Trump beginning his efforts to bring the war to a swift conclusion on Feb. 12 this year.[5]

Sources:

  • "I think Russia's attitude is unserious," President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine said hours after arriving in Turkey for negotiations. (PHOTOGRAPH BY EVGENIY MALOLETKA/ASSOCIATED PRESS)
  • A security officer outside the Russian Embassy in Istanbul. The two sides arrived in separate cities. (PHOTOGRAPH BY BURAK KARA/GETTY IMAGES)
  • President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia, top, had rejected Mr. Zelensky's plea to meet in person but sent a pared-down delegation. President Trump, above in Qatar on Thursday, had earlier said he might head there on Friday "if something happened" in the talks. (PHOTOGRAPHS BY ALEXANDER NEMENOV; DOUG MILLS/THE NEW YORK TIMES)
  • This article appeared in print on page A8.

References:

[1] Nataliia Novosolova contributed research.

[2] Mr. Putin proposed direct talks between Russia and Ukraine, a first since the war began in March 2022.

[3] President Zelensky wants an immediate and unconditional cease-fire, followed by negotiations over a potential peace deal.

[4] Mr. Putin appears confident of Russia's upper hand on the battlefield and is refusing to stop fighting before securing major concessions from Kyiv and the West.

[5] President Trump began his efforts to bring the war to a swift conclusion on Feb. 12 this year.

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