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As diplomatic efforts continue to find an end to the ongoing war in Ukraine, representatives from Russia and Ukraine are set to meet in Istanbul, Turkey on Friday. However, the notable absence of Russian President Vladimir Putin at the talks suggests low expectations for any major breakthroughs in the negotiations.
The delegations from Moscow and Kyiv will be meeting face-to-face for the first time since the beginning of the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The talks come amid continued fighting and devastating attacks across Ukraine, with neither side appearing willing to make significant concessions.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed that the Russian delegation will be present in Istanbul, but emphasized that Putin himself will not be attending. This is a clear signal that Russia does not anticipate any substantial progress or agreements to emerge from the discussions.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has expressed cautious optimism about the potential for the talks, stating that Ukraine is ready to discuss a peaceful settlement. However, he has also maintained that Ukraine will not agree to any demands that compromise its territorial integrity or sovereignty.
The expectations for the talks in Turkey remain low, with many observers believing that the two sides remain far apart on the core issues that have fueled the ongoing conflict. Russia has insisted that Ukraine must accept its annexation of Crimea and the independence of Russian-backed separatist regions in eastern Ukraine, demands that Kyiv has firmly rejected.
Additionally, the Kremlin has shown little willingness to scale back its military operations, which have devastated cities and towns across Ukraine. The continued Russian bombardment of civilian areas and infrastructure has only hardened the Ukrainian government’s resolve to continue fighting.
Despite the lack of high-level participation, the talks in Istanbul are still seen as an important diplomatic opportunity, even if the chances of a breakthrough remain slim. Both sides will likely use the meeting to restate their positions and reiterate their demands, while searching for any possible avenues for compromise or de-escalation.
As the war in Ukraine approaches its one-year mark, the international community continues to call for a peaceful resolution to the conflict. However, the deep divisions and entrenched positions of the two sides suggest that the path to a lasting peace remains uncertain and fraught with challenges.
