Top U.S. diplomat and Republican Senator Marco Rubio has expressed doubt about the potential for progress in the Ukraine-Russia peace talks set to take place in Turkey. Speaking after a NATO foreign ministers meeting in southern Turkey, Rubio stated bluntly that significant developments would only occur if U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin meet face-to-face.
“I don’t think we’re going to have a breakthrough here until President Trump and President Putin interact directly on this topic,” Rubio said, highlighting skepticism over the current level of engagement from Moscow and the limitations of mid-level diplomatic efforts. His remarks came as international diplomats gathered for what had been billed as the first major attempt to restart talks since the failure of 2022 negotiations.
The Istanbul talks are scheduled to include delegations from Ukraine, Russia, the United States, and Turkey. However, Rubio’s comments reflect growing concerns that without top-level political leadership—particularly from Trump and Putin—any discussions are unlikely to yield concrete results.
Trump Questions Russia’s Commitment, Offers Conditional Attendance
U.S. President Donald Trump, currently on a visit to the Middle East, echoed Rubio’s sentiments in remarks to the press. Speaking aboard Air Force One, Trump said, “Nothing’s going to happen until Putin and I get together… too many people are dying.” He added that Putin would not be serious about negotiations unless he himself was present, suggesting a meeting between the two leaders is the only realistic path to peace.
When asked about the low-level nature of the Russian delegation, Trump responded that it reflected a lack of seriousness from the Kremlin. “He wasn’t going if I wasn’t there,” Trump said, referring to Putin. “It’s personal disrespect, whether you like it or not.”
Although Trump initially left open the possibility of attending the Istanbul talks on Friday “if appropriate,” he later indicated he would likely return to Washington. His wavering on participation has only added to the uncertainty surrounding the outcome of the planned discussions.
Zelensky Decries “Disrespect” as Delegations Head to Istanbul
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed on Thursday that Kyiv would send a high-level delegation to Istanbul, including Defense Minister Rustem Umerov and senior officials from Ukraine’s military and foreign ministry. However, he took issue with Russia’s apparent lack of commitment, criticizing the Kremlin’s decision to send a low-ranking team led by aide Vladimir Medinsky.
“No time of the meeting, no agenda, no high-level delegation—this is personal disrespect to Erdogan, to Trump,” Zelensky said, referring to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and the U.S. president. The Ukrainian leader also reiterated his call for a personal meeting with Putin, which the Kremlin dismissed by confirming Putin would not be traveling to Turkey.
Zelensky’s frustration reflects broader concerns in Kyiv and among Ukraine’s Western allies that Russia is not approaching the talks with genuine intent to negotiate, but rather to delay and reset international narratives without offering concessions.
Russia Insists Talks Are a “Continuation” of 2022 Negotiations
The Russian delegation, led by Medinsky, described the Istanbul talks as a continuation of the failed peace negotiations held shortly after Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022. Speaking to reporters, Medinsky said the aim was to address the “root causes” of the conflict and ultimately establish long-term peace.
Despite the Kremlin’s messaging, the terms under discussion—such as Ukraine’s potential neutrality, military downsizing, and abandonment of NATO aspirations—are largely seen by Ukraine and its allies as unacceptable. These proposals were central to the earlier failed talks and have since been rejected by Kyiv as tantamount to surrender.
The Russian team includes key figures such as the deputy defense minister, deputy foreign minister, and the military intelligence chief. However, the absence of Putin from the proceedings underscores doubts about Moscow’s commitment to reaching a meaningful settlement at this stage.
Continued Fighting and Diplomatic Pressure Amid Stalled Peace Efforts
While diplomacy attempts to take center stage in Istanbul, the war in Ukraine continues unabated. On Thursday, Russia announced its forces had captured two more villages in the eastern Donetsk region, further expanding its control, which now spans roughly 20% of Ukraine’s territory, including the annexed Crimean Peninsula.
UK Defence Minister John Healey, speaking in Berlin after a meeting with his German counterpart Boris Pistorius, called on Ukraine’s allies to increase pressure on Putin. “Sanctions must be intensified to bring him to the negotiating table,” Healey said, adding that the international community must not allow the Kremlin to exploit peace talks as a cover for continued aggression.
As the Istanbul talks remain in flux—with no confirmed time or clear agenda—observers suggest that the real turning point may not come until Trump and Putin meet directly. Until then, hopes for a breakthrough remain dim, and the people of Ukraine continue to endure the brunt of a war that shows little sign of ending.
