Russia and Ukraine resume direct talks in Istanbul for first time since 2022

ISTANBUL — Russian and Ukrainian officials convened in Istanbul on Thursday for the first direct negotiations since peace talks collapsed in 2022. 

The discussions, facilitated by a trilateral meeting involving delegations from Turkey, the United States, and Russia, were preceded by separate meetings between US and Turkish officials with their Ukrainian counterparts earlier in the day. 

The Russian delegation was led by Vladimir Medinsky, a senior adviser to President Vladimir Putin, while Ukraine was represented by Defense Minister Rustem Umerov. The United States, adopting a more active mediating role, sent Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who was joined by US Ambassador to Turkey Tom Barrack and Special Envoy for Ukraine Keith Kellogg. 

The primary focus of the talks was the possibility of implementing a 30-day cease-fire — a tentative but meaningful step toward de-escalating the conflict. Discussions took place without the participation of President Putin and were delayed from their initially scheduled date. 

The negotiations began at Istanbul’s Dolmabahçe Palace, where Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan hosted a preliminary session with his American and Ukrainian counterparts. Ukraine’s delegation also included Presidential Chief of Staff Andriy Yermak, along with defense and foreign ministers. 

Following the discussions, Secretary Rubio urged an immediate end to hostilities. “It is time to stop the killing,” he declared, with similar sentiments echoed by State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce, who reaffirmed the administration’s dedication to pursuing a “peaceful resolution to the war.” 

Russia indicated cautious optimism. A senior Russian Foreign Ministry official told the TASS news agency that the talks in Istanbul could “lead to a document laying the foundation for ending the war,” while underscoring that progress hinges on Ukraine’s willingness to pursue “a reasonable path toward peace.” 

Though still in preliminary stages, the resumption of direct communication between the two warring nations — bolstered by senior American and Turkish participation — signals a renewed international effort to bring both sides closer to resolving a conflict that has wrought immense devastation over the past two years.