Russian President Vladimir Putin declined to meet Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelenskyy in person at planned peace talks in Turkey, sending a lower-tier delegation instead. Ukraine appointed Defence Minister Rustem Umerov to lead its team, marking the first direct talks since March 2022.
U.S. President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio both expressed skepticism about progress without a direct Trump-Putin meeting. The Russian delegation, led by presidential adviser Vladimir Medinsky, indicated readiness to negotiate, but Zelenskyy called Russia’s absence a sign of bad faith.
Ukraine demands an immediate 30-day ceasefire, while Russia insists on talks to discuss terms first. The conflict remains deeply divisive, with Russia controlling nearly 20% of Ukrainian territory and demanding security guarantees, neutrality, and territorial concessions from Kyiv—terms Ukraine rejects.
The tense diplomatic standoff highlights ongoing challenges to peace amid one of Europe’s deadliest conflicts since World War II.
Source: Swifteradio.com
