What's happened
On May 16, 2025, Russia and Ukraine held their first direct peace talks in three years in Istanbul, but expectations for significant progress were low. The Ukrainian delegation, led by Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, faced a low-level Russian team, raising concerns about the seriousness of the negotiations amid ongoing military tensions.
What's behind the headline?
Key Insights:
- Diplomatic Disparity: The low-level Russian delegation, described by Ukrainian President Zelensky as a 'theater prop,' indicates a lack of commitment from Moscow to engage seriously in peace talks.
- U.S. Influence: President Trump emphasized that no progress would occur without a meeting between him and Putin, highlighting the U.S.'s pivotal role in the negotiations.
- Military Context: As talks unfold, Russian forces are reportedly preparing for a new offensive, suggesting that military actions may overshadow diplomatic efforts.
- Ceasefire Conditions: Ukraine has accepted a proposal for a 30-day ceasefire, but Russia's stringent conditions have effectively stalled this initiative.
- Future Outlook: The ongoing military preparations and the disparity in negotiation levels suggest that immediate breakthroughs are unlikely, with both sides entrenched in their positions.
What the papers say
According to The Independent, the Ukrainian delegation was prepared to achieve significant outcomes, but a senior official noted that success depended on Moscow's seriousness. The South China Morning Post echoed this sentiment, stating that Zelensky criticized the Russian team as lacking authority to negotiate. The New York Times highlighted Trump's assertion that progress hinges on his meeting with Putin, while AP News reported on the ongoing military preparations by Russia, indicating a complex backdrop to the talks. The Times of Israel pointed out that the absence of high-level Russian officials at the talks further diminished hopes for a breakthrough.
How we got here
The peace talks come after years of conflict following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in March 2022. Previous negotiations have stalled, with both sides holding firm on their demands, complicating efforts for a ceasefire and resolution.
Go deeper
- What are the main issues in the negotiations?
- How has the international community reacted to the talks?
- What are the implications of the ongoing military actions?
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More on these topics
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Donald John Trump is an American politician, media personality, and businessman who served as the 45th president of the United States from 2017 to 2021.
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Turkey, officially the Republic of Turkey, is a transcontinental country located mainly on the Anatolian peninsula in Western Asia, with a smaller portion on the Balkan peninsula in Southeastern Europe.
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Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin is a Russian politician and former intelligence officer who has served as President of Russia since 2012, previously holding the position from 1999 until 2008.
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Ukraine is a country in Eastern Europe. It is the second-largest European country after Russia, which borders it to the east and northeast.
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Russia, or the Russian Federation, is a transcontinental country located in Eastern Europe and Northern Asia. Covering an area of 17,125,200 square kilometres, it is the largest country in the world by area, spanning more than one-eighth of the Earth's in
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Istanbul is the largest city in Turkey, constituting the country's economic, cultural, and historical heart. With a population over 15 million, it is home to 18% of the population of Turkey. Istanbul is among the largest cities in Europe and in the world.
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Volodymyr Oleksandrovych Zelenskyy is a Ukrainian politician, actor and comedian who is the 6th and current president of Ukraine, serving since May 2019.