Volodymyr Zelenskyy has dispatched a delegation to Istanbul for peace negotiations with Russia, marking the first direct discussions between the two nations since March 2022.
However, U.S. officials have cautioned that significant progress is unlikely unless Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin agree to meet.
The talks are scheduled to commence on Friday, with Zelenskyy emphasizing Ukraine's aim for an immediate 30-day ceasefire.
During a press conference in Ankara following a meeting with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Zelenskyy explained his decision to send a higher-level team despite Russia's lower-level representation, aiming to demonstrate Ukraine's commitment to ending the conflict.
He added that the delegation would be led by Defense Minister Rustem Umerov. Meanwhile, Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio are expected to attend the talks, although their specific roles remain ' uncertain'.
The negotiations will take place at the Dolmabahçe Palace, a site that previously hosted unsuccessful talks in 2022.
However, the anticipated discussions faced immediate uncertainty as the Ukrainian and Russian delegations arrived in different cities, raising questions about a potential meeting.
The Kremlin had announced that Putin would not attend, dismissing Zelenskyy’s proposal for a direct conversation about peace. Trump has also expressed skepticism about the effectiveness of any talks that do 'not include him' and Putin, stating that progress is contingent on their meeting.