“Can the President of Ukraine Zelensky and Russian dictator Putin personally sit at the negotiating table? How likely is the meeting at all? This tense question was brought close to both sides by US President Donald Trump, who has not yet left his diplomatic efforts to establish peace in Ukraine. Peptension negotiations with Russia may take place in Istanbul on May 15. But in public”, – WRITE ON: ua.news
Can the President of Ukraine Zelensky and Russian dictator Putin personally sit at the negotiating table? How likely is the meeting at all? Both US President Donald Trump, who has not yet left his diplomatic efforts to establish peace in Ukraine.
Potentially negotiations with Russia can take place in Istanbul on May 15. But only President Zelensky has publicly declared his readiness for such a meeting, certifying Ukraine’s desire to reach peace as soon as possible. Russian dictator Putin did not confirm his participation in the negotiations. And Donald Trump decided to send Steve Witcoff and Kella Kelloga to Istanbul.
UA.news talks about preparing bilateral talks in Turkey, whether Putin is worth expecting there and whether they can become a starting point to start a direct bilateral dialogue between Kiev and Moscow.
Official statements preceding a potential meeting in Istanbul
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy He declared US leader Donald Trump about Ukraine’s readiness for direct negotiations with Russia if there was a ceasefire. The message was handed over on May 10, during a conversation with Trump with Zelensky and European leaders of the Coalition of Decisive-President of France Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Prime Minister Kira Starmer and Poland Donald Tusk.
They stressed that in the event of a ceasefire agreement, Ukraine is ready to start direct negotiations with Russia on peace. But if Putin abandons a 30-day ceasefire, European countries impose new sanctions against the Russian Federation.
Joint statement by France, Germany, Poland, UK and Ukraine According to the results of the meeting in Kyiv on May 10, it should have been a complete and unconditional ceasefire for at least 30 days from Monday, May 12.
“During this period, diplomatic work should be focused on defining the security, political and humanitarian principles of peace … If Russia abandons the complete and unconditional ceasefire, more rigid sanctions should be applied to its banking and energy sectors aimed at fossil fuel, oil and shadow.
The statement also stated that the call for ceasefire and meaningful negotiations support both Europe and the United States.
Russian dictator Putin On the night of May 11, in his address for propaganda publications, he announced that he was allegedly tuned to “direct negotiations” with Kiev in Istanbul on Thursday, May 15. In his speech, Putin did not mention the 30-day ceasefire, as the leaders from the “coalition of decisive” required. Instead, he demanded to restore direct negotiations “without prior conditions”.
Putin criticized the rhetoric of the event, which, he said, puts forward ultimate requirements for immediate truce and end of the war.
US President Donald Trump Immediately after Putin’s speech, he stated that Ukraine should “immediately” agree to negotiations with the Russian Federation in Turkey, even without a 30-day armistice. At the same time, he expressed doubt that Kiev would conclude an agreement with Putin, who “is too busy with the celebration of victory in World War II.”
“Russian President Putin does not want to conclude a ceasefire agreement with Ukraine, but rather wants to meet on Thursday in Turkey to arrange for a possible cessation of bloodshed. Ukraine has to agree to it immediately, ”Trump wrote on the social network Truth Social.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy On the same day, May 11, he agreed to come to Istanbul, but he stressed: he would wait for Putin in person. The head of state noted that “the Russians finally thought about the end of the war,” and he considers it “a good sign.” However, he stressed that real steps to peace are possible only after the termination of hostilities.
“There is no point in continuing the murder even a day. We expect Russia to confirm the ceasefire – full, long and reliable – starting from the day, May 12, and Ukraine is ready to meet ”, Said the perisidant.
And on May 12, Volodymyr Zelenskyy discussed with Turkish President Recep Taiip Erdogan key details of the meeting in Istanbul.
“I am grateful for the support and readiness at the highest level to promote diplomacy. We see the need for ceasefire. Partners are also required to monitor the ceasefire. We are ready for direct negotiations with Putin. And it is very important that we all work together in Europe for long -term security guarantee. We will be in constant contact with America. “
Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine
US President’s Special Messenger Steve Witcoff On May 12, Donald Trump had nominated Ukraine and Russia on the need to make progress in negotiations. Otherwise, the United States will come out of the process of peaceful settlement to end the war.
“The President put forward an ultimatum to both parties (Ukraine and Russia) that without these direct negotiations, if they do not happen quickly, he believes that the United States should move away from this conflict (wars), which would not mean, and simply not be involved. This is what we want to be mediators. This is not our war. We did not start the war but we want to help it stop it, ”Said Vitcoff.
As the sides are preparing for negotiations in Istanbul
Following the official statements of the leaders, diplomacy was actively commenting on the preparation for direct negotiations between Ukraine and the Russian Federation in Istanbul, as well as their subsequent actions, depending on the result of the meeting.
US President Donald Trump, who initially supported Putin’s initiative, has negotiated in Istanbul, decided not to fly there, but to send Steve Witcoff and Kelloga Kelloga specialists.
Informal negotiations are already underway between the Ukrainian and Russian sides, assured US President Special Special Supporters Steve Witcoff. He spoke with both high -ranking representatives of the Ukrainian authorities and the Russians. According to him, the United States is making an effort to make a direct meeting of Ukrainian and Russian delegations, and also made “a lot to narrow the range of issues.” The most problematic of these is the distribution of control over regions.
“I think that the main problems (in negotiations – ed.) Are regions (Tot – Ed.), Atomic station (OPP – Ed.), And how Ukrainians can use the Dnieper River and access to the sea. There are things that, in my opinion, will not be difficult to decide if we put the parties to the table ”, – stated American specialist.
Meanwhile, European leaders decided to wait for a probable meeting between the President of Ukraine Zelensky and Russian dictator Putin in Turkey on May 15, before increasing the sanction pressure against the Russian Federation. The source was told about such a “binding” of new sanctions against the aggressor country by the Western media.
If the Russian dictator refuses to meet with Zelensky, or the Kremlin disagrees the immediate and unconditional ceasefire during Istanbul talks – European leaders will urge the President of the USA to comply with Moscow. It is noted that the Trump administration has already prepared options for increasing economic pressure on Russia, and is waiting for “green light” from the president.
From Moscow, meanwhile, contradictory messages are coming through propaganda media. So far, their main message – Putin will not fly to Istanbul and does not plan to meet Zelensky. The flight to Turkey is allegedly prepared for the Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Putin’s advisor Yuri Ushakov. However, the Russian dictator’s press secretary Dmitry Peskov stated that the Kremlin would declare a delegation that would represent the Russian side in negotiations with Ukraine as soon as Putin considers it necessary.
In Istanbul, Zelensky will not negotiate with anyone except Putin, says Presidential Head Mikhail Podolyak. He explains that only Putin personally can discuss the fundamental issues of war. The rest of the Russian high -ranking officials do not have sufficient powers for such negotiations.
“Only Putin can decide to continue or end the war. Well, there may be a small circle around him, which discusses how many and who else to kill. But this is definitely not Medinsky, Lavrov, Shoga or someone else, ” – says Podolyak.
Expert conclusions
The positions of the parties in the negotiations are now somewhat dynamic, so their statements can often change – so evaluates the negotiation process to establish peace in Ukraine Volodymyr Dubovik, Director of the Center for International Research.
“For example, we had a concerted position from Europe that Russia should declare a ceased fire, and otherwise there will be new sanctions and other measures. Now we see the position: “OK, we will wait for the meeting on May 15 in Istanbul, and then we will decide what to do next.” Of course, this is due to Trump. He also insisted on the ceasefire, but then congratulated Putin’s proposal to meet in Istanbul. Therefore, for the sake of preserving some consolidation, Europeans also had to adjust their position, ” The Dubovik explains.
According to him, there is a feeling that there is a period when there is a certain evolution in peace talks, although “exactly still far to celebrate or relax.”
“Putin will not come for sure. He didn’t plan. It can only appear at the stage of signing a transaction. That is why Zelensky’s maneuver is a bold step. It turns out as in the song: “I came – you are gone.” So, again, Ukraine will confirm its readiness for peace against the background of Russia, which is played in games. In my opinion, there will be no serious decisions in Istanbul. But a long and difficult conversation is possible. “
Volodymyr Dubovik, Director of the International Research Center
To adjust the position of European leaders, according to Donald Trump’s statements, indicates and International political scientist Maxim Yali.
“Initially, they declared the ceasefire as a prerequisite, the beginning of negotiations. Then, when Trump insisted that he had to start and negotiate, everyone agreed. Accordingly, the rate is made, at least, first of all Donald Trump on the fact that it will be possible to reach certain arrangements in Istanbul, including ceasefire for 30 days, and then the beginning of a full peace process ”,”, – suggests spring.
Whoever comes to negotiations to Istanbul and how much these negotiations can be effective depends on several factors, explains the international expert.
“I am pessimistic for negotiations in Istanbul, because the positions of the parties are diametrically opposite. And recently, US Vice President Jay Di Vance confirmed this. Therefore, yes, the Russian delegation will be 100%. After all, it will help Putin delay the time, put forward the same conditions that he has nominated for the Ukrainian side before, hoping that during this time the situation on the front will change towards Russia. Will Putin come to Istanbul? Only if there were some personal arrangements between Donald Trump and Putin. And whether certain arrangements were reached in general. But in my opinion, such a result is unlikely. “
Maxim Yali, an international political scientist
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