Particle.news
Download on the App Store
20 ARTICLES
·
2w ago

Russia and Ukraine Begin First Direct Peace Talks in Three Years in Istanbul

Low expectations surround the negotiations as Russia sends a mid-level delegation, and key leaders remain absent from the discussions.

Image
Image
Vehicles begin arriving outside a gate prior to expected talks between Russian and Ukrainian delegations at the Dolmabache palace, in Istanbul, Turkey, Friday, May 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Dilara Acikgoz)
Vehicles begin arriving outside a gate prior to expected talks between Russian and Ukrainian delegations at the Dolmabache palace, in Istanbul, Turkey, Friday, May 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Dilara Acikgoz)

Overview

  • Delegations from Russia and Ukraine convene in Istanbul for their first direct talks since 2022, with Turkey brokering the discussions and hosting trilateral meetings involving the U.S.
  • Russian President Vladimir Putin declined to attend the talks, sending a lower-level delegation led by presidential aide Vladimir Medinsky, while Ukraine's team is headed by Defense Minister Rustem Umerov.
  • U.S. President Donald Trump stated that no significant progress is likely without a personal meeting between himself and Putin, further dampening expectations for the talks.
  • Key sticking points remain unresolved, with Russia demanding territorial concessions, Ukraine's neutrality, and leadership changes, while Ukraine insists on a full ceasefire and robust security guarantees.
  • Fighting continues along the front line, with Russia claiming recent territorial gains in Novooleksandrivka and Torske in Ukraine's Donetsk region.