Vladimir Putin has rejected a bold proposal from Volodymyr Zelenskyy for a direct meeting in Istanbul to discuss peace. According to the Kremlin, the Russian president will not travel to Turkey.
Instead, the Kremlin said late Wednesday that the Russian delegation will be led by Vladimir Medinsky, a hardline aide to Putin. Medinsky previously headed the only direct negotiations between Russia and Ukraine in 2022.
Trump Drops Out After Putin Refuses
Soon after the Kremlin’s announcement, a U.S. official confirmed that Donald Trump would also skip the talks. Trump had earlier suggested he would only attend if Putin was present. 
Medinsky, an ultra-conservative and former Minister of Culture of Russia, will be joined in Istanbul by Alexander Fomin, deputy defense minister; Mikhail Galuzin, deputy foreign minister; and Igor Kostyukov, head of the Main Directorate of the General Staff.
Return to 2022 Negotiation Framework
Russia’s decision to send Medinsky signals a return to the failed 2022 Istanbul negotiation format. That round included sweeping demands. Russia called for Ukraine to limit its military and to stop rebuilding with help from the West.
Ukraine strongly rejected those conditions. They were viewed as unacceptable by both Kyiv and its allies.
Interestingly, the Kremlin is not sending two of its top diplomats. Yuri Ushakov and Sergei Lavrov — who have previously taken part in multiple talks with the U.S. — will not be in attendance this time.
Zelenskyy and Trump Apply Pressure on Putin
Zelenskyy had publicly challenged Putin to attend talks in Turkey. This followed Putin’s unexpected late-night address from the Kremlin, where he called for direct negotiations in Istanbul.
The announcement sparked hope for possible progress. However, much remains unclear about Thursday’s meeting. The discussions are gaining significance amid rising tension and military maneuvers from both Russia and Ukraine.
Zelenskyy En Route to Turkey
On Wednesday evening, Zelenskyy was traveling to Ankara, where he is expected to meet Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on Thursday. His aides confirmed the meeting schedule.
Zelenskyy also expressed readiness to fly to Istanbul at a moment’s notice — but only if Putin attends. “If Putin does not arrive, and plays games, that is the final proof he does not want to end the war,” Zelenskyy declared on Tuesday.
Ukraine and U.S. Coordinate Ahead of Talks
Late Wednesday, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha shared photos on social media. The images showed a meeting in Turkey with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Senator Lindsey Graham.
Sybiha stated that they met to “advance peace efforts and coordinate positions during this critical week.”
He added that Russia must respond to Ukraine’s constructive actions. “So far, it has not. Moscow must understand that rejecting peace comes at a cost,” he warned.
Trump Suggests Flexibility, But Skips Meeting
Earlier, Trump had encouraged Zelenskyy to accept the offer of talks. He said he hoped Putin would attend.
On Wednesday, Trump said there was a “possibility” he could reroute to Turkey — but only if the Russian president was there. He explained that he was scheduled to visit the United Arab Emirates on Thursday as part of his Gulf tour.
Still, when asked about attending the talks, he said: “That doesn’t mean I wouldn’t do it to save a lot of lives.”
Brazil and China Support Peace Talks
Brazil and China, both of which maintain strong ties with Moscow, also supported direct talks between Russia and Ukraine.
During a press conference in Beijing, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva said he would encourage Putin to attend. “I’ll try to talk to Putin,” he said. Lula added that he planned to travel to Moscow soon. “It costs me nothing to say: ‘Hey, comrade Putin, go to Istanbul and negotiate, dammit.’”
Earlier this week, Brazil and China issued a joint statement. They declared that direct negotiations are the “only way to end the conflict.”
History of Zelenskyy-Putin Encounters
Putin and Zelenskyy have met only once before — in 2019. Since then, the Kremlin has repeatedly dismissed the Ukrainian president as illegitimate.
In Istanbul, Ukraine is expected to propose a 30-day ceasefire as a first step. This would create a window for further negotiations.
Russia Holds to Hardline Position
Moscow has consistently opposed long ceasefires. Russian officials argue that these breaks allow Ukraine to rearm and regroup.
In Istanbul, Russia is likely to push for the same maximalist demands made in 2022. These conditions were rejected by Kyiv and are widely seen as obstacles to genuine peace.
Europe Readies Pressure If Talks Fail
Leaders across Europe have vowed to tighten pressure on Moscow if the Istanbul talks collapse. However, a key question remains: Can they persuade Trump to support their approach?
On Wednesday, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz addressed parliament. He warned against a peace deal dictated by Moscow.
He cautioned against “militarily created facts” being imposed on Ukraine. Merz stressed that the political West must stay united and not allow itself to be divided.
