Speaking from EsenbogaAirport, Zelenskyy questioned Moscow’s seriousness. “We need to understand whatkind of level the Russian delegation is, and what mandate they have, and whether theycan make any decisions,” he told reporters, dismissing the Russian team as “decorative.”
Russian ForeignMinistry spokesperson Maria Zakharova confirmed the delegation’s arrival inIstanbul, where the talks will take place at a presidential venue overlookingthe Bosporus.
Zelenskyy’sdecision to attend was widely praised by Western diplomats. French ForeignMinister Jean-Noël Barrot remarked, “Zelenskyy showed goodwill by coming toTurkiye, but there’s an empty chair where Putin should be,” accusing theRussian president of deliberately stalling the peace process, even amidpressure from US President Donald Trump for direct engagement.
Trump Respondsfrom Gulf Tour
Trump previouslyencouraged Zelenskyy and Putin to meet face-to-face and even floated the ideaof attending himself. On Thursday, he confirmed that Secretary of State MarcoRubio is already in Turkiye for consultations with NATO officials, whilespecial envoy Steve Witkoff, will join the Russia–Ukraine discussions onFriday.
Meanwhile, TurkishForeign Minister Hakan Fidan, speaking at a NATO meeting, expressed cautiousoptimism. “Now, after three years of immense suffering, there is finally awindow of opportunity. The talks in Istanbul hopefully may open a new chapter.”
While Moscowaccuses Ukraine and Western countries of prolonging the conflict, Ukrainianofficials say Russia’s conditions remain too rigid for meaningful dialogue.
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