Delegations from Russia and Ukraine are expected to meet in Istanbul on Friday in what could be their first direct talks since 2022. However, hopes for progress remain low, especially in the absence of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio tempered expectations, pointing to Moscow’s low-level delegation and continued hostile rhetoric from both sides.
“I want to be frank… we don’t have high expectations of what will happen tomorrow,” Rubio stated.
President Donald Trump echoed the sentiment, asserting that meaningful progress would only come after he personally meets with Putin. “I don’t believe anything’s going to happen, whether you like it or not, until he and I get together,” Trump said aboard Air Force One.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky also dismissed hopes for a breakthrough, accusing Moscow of lacking seriousness about ending the war. He had previously challenged Putin to attend the talks directly, a proposal the Kremlin leader ignored.
Key Delegation Members
Russia’s team will be led by Vladimir Medinsky, a close Putin aide known for his hardline stance and prior role in failed 2022 negotiations. Ukraine will be represented by Defence Minister Rustem Umerov and a group of deputy-level officials.
In a televised statement from Istanbul, Medinsky said talks would begin at 10 a.m. Friday and emphasized Russia’s willingness to explore compromises. “The delegation is committed to a constructive approach… to establish long-term peace by addressing the root causes of the conflict,” he said.
Zelensky met with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Thursday and confirmed Ukraine’s participation “out of respect” for Erdogan and Trump, despite skepticism about Russia’s intentions.
International Reactions and Tensions
Ahead of the talks, both sides exchanged sharp rhetoric. Zelensky labeled Russia’s team a “dummy delegation,” while Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova called Zelensky a “clown” and “loser.”
Rubio will meet with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga, while a lower-level U.S. official will engage with the Russian side. A Turkish official confirmed the format would include trilateral discussions as well as separate meetings involving the U.S., Ukraine, and Turkey.
Meanwhile, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer criticized Putin’s absence, saying he “must pay the price for avoiding peace.” Starmer is attending a European Political Community (EPC) meeting in Albania, alongside other European leaders including Emmanuel Macron, Friedrich Merz, and Ursula von der Leyen.
Kyiv and its allies had proposed a 30-day ceasefire as a condition for talks, but Moscow rejected the idea. Russia has insisted on broad territorial concessions, military neutrality from Ukraine, and other demands — positions firmly rejected by Ukraine and the West.
While Zelensky acknowledged diplomacy may play a role in recovering some lost territory, he emphasized Ukraine’s resistance to surrendering any ground.
