Zelenskyy Meets Russian Delegation in Istanbul for First Direct Ukraine Talks in Three Years

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived in Istanbul to participate in peace talks with Russia, signaling his readiness for direct negotiations and urging Russian President Vladimir Putin to grant his delegation real authority. Zelenskyy criticized the Russian delegation as low-level and lacking decision-making power, describing their presence as an insult and a sign of Moscow's unwillingness to seriously engage. The Russian delegation, led by Putin's aide Vladimir Medinsky, includes other officials but notably excludes Putin himself, which Zelenskyy and many Western analysts see as a sign of bad faith. Despite the low-level Russian presence, the talks mark the first direct contact between the two countries in over three years, with Turkey acting as mediator. Zelenskyy's presence in Istanbul is intended as a clear message to Putin, emphasizing Ukraine's readiness to take realistic steps to end the war, while Putin has so far declined to attend or empower his representatives fully. The situation remains fluid as observers watch whether the Russian side will commit to meaningful negotiations or continue to stall.