Russia’s President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump talk during a bilateral meeting at the G20 leaders summit in Osaka, Japan, June 28, 2019. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque
Potential Direct Peace Talks between Russia and Ukraine: Uncertainty Surrounds Attendance
Efforts to hold the first direct peace talks between Russia and Ukraine in years remain uncertain as U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin have yet to confirm their attendance. The talks, proposed by Putin to take place in Istanbul on Thursday, are intended to discuss a potential 30-day ceasefire amid ongoing conflict.
Diplomatic Standoff
Putin proposed the meeting “without any preconditions,” but the Kremlin has not yet disclosed who would represent Russia. Trump’s earlier call for Ukraine to attend the talks was met with a conditional agreement from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, who stated that he would only participate if Putin himself were present. This has led to a diplomatic impasse, with both sides seemingly positioning themselves to demonstrate a stronger commitment to peace.
Speaking aboard Air Force One, Trump expressed uncertainty regarding his own attendance and questioned whether Putin would participate if he did not. Trump acknowledged that Putin had indicated a preference for his presence, but emphasized that the final decision was yet to be made.
Ceasefire Proposal
Trump aims for both sides to commit to a 30-day ceasefire, which he believes would serve as an essential first step toward resolving the conflict. Zelenskiy has expressed support for an immediate ceasefire, while Putin has suggested that discussions about the ceasefire’s terms should precede any agreement.
A Russian lawmaker has hinted that talks may also address a large-scale exchange of prisoners of war, though no official confirmation has been given.
Potential Sanctions
Amid growing frustration over the stalled peace process, Trump indicated that secondary sanctions on Russia remain under consideration. These could include financial measures or penalties targeting buyers of Russian oil.
U.S. officials are monitoring the situation closely, while Ukrainian representatives have stated that their attendance hinges on whether Putin agrees to participate. A diplomatic source from Ukraine suggested that the leadership’s decision would be shaped by Putin’s willingness to attend, hinting that a refusal might indicate hesitancy on Russia’s part.
Confusion over Russian Delegation
While some reports suggested that Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and foreign policy aide Yuri Ushakov might attend the talks, Russia’s Kommersant newspaper contradicted this by stating that Lavrov would not be present. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov refrained from confirming the delegation’s composition, indicating that instructions would come directly from President Putin.
U.S. Delegation Plans
Trump has announced plans to send Secretary of State Marco Rubio along with senior envoys Steve Witkoff and Keith Kellogg to the talks, while also leaving open the possibility of his own attendance.
Historical Significance
If Putin attends, it would mark the first meeting between the leaders of Russia and Ukraine since December 2019. The most recent direct negotiations between the countries took place in Istanbul in March 2022, shortly after Russia initiated its military campaign in Ukraine.
As the date of the proposed talks approaches, the international community is watching closely, as successful negotiations could signal a pivotal step toward de-escalating the ongoing conflict.
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