Trump announces plans to meet with Putin amid Ukraine-Russia peace talks
- Ukraine accused Russia of continuing attacks prior to peace talks in Turkey.
- Expectations for meaningful outcomes from the negotiations were low.
- Direct engagement between key leaders is viewed as necessary for progress.
On May 16, 2025, Ukraine accused Russia of launching overnight attacks just before their first direct peace talks in three years, which were set to take place in Istanbul, Turkey. These Turkish-brokered negotiations gathered delegations from both nations, but expectations for substantial progress were low given the long-standing and ongoing conflict. Ukraine's delegation included Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, while the Russian side was represented by a low-level team led by presidential aide Vladimir Medinsky. The Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, criticized Russia's approach, claiming that their delegation was not serious, calling it a mere 'theater prop' in response to Ukraine's actual commitment to the discussions. Additionally, Zelenskyy was engaged in European meetings regarding security and defense while these talks were occurring, indicating a broader diplomatic effort amidst the war's disruptions. American officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, did not attend the Istanbul meeting, as a breakthrough in discussions was perceived as contingent on a meeting between Trump and Putin, which Trump emphasized would be arranged soon. The ongoing conflict had already led to significant casualties, prompting a strong need for dialogue, although the deadlock appeared challenging to break without direct high-level negotiations between the leaders involved.