Putin-Zelensky Summit Expected to Finalize Russia-Ukraine Peace Deal

The recent third round of Russia-Ukraine peace talks in Istanbul ended without significant progress, with both sides maintaining deeply opposed positions. Ukrainian officials, including President Volodymyr Zelensky, have pushed for a direct summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin, viewing it as essential to achieving peace. However, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov and other Russian officials insist that such a summit should only occur as a final step to formalize any agreement, after extensive diplomatic groundwork. Moscow remains skeptical about Zelensky's legal authority following the expiration of his term, complicating negotiations. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan is leveraging these talks to position Türkiye as a key mediator in shaping the postwar order, with tacit support from the U.S., including President Donald Trump. Despite prisoner exchanges and ongoing dialogue, a mutual political will to bridge the fundamental divide between Kyiv's demand for justice and Moscow's desire for leverage remains absent, prolonging the stalemate.