Russia and Ukraine start the first direct conversations in 3 years

Russia and Ukraine start the first direct conversations in 3 years

in Istanbul there was confusion about the proposal of Russian President Vladimir Putin for direct conversations with the Ukraine . The day on which these conversations should begin initially only brought chaos: a seven -hour observation on the banks of the Bosphorus, a crowd of tumors in front of the Russian consulate and finally a decision on the part of the Ukrainian president, which may be a new chapter in this confusing conflict.

chaotic scenes in Istanbul

die Chaotic scenes difficult path. When the media arrived at the Dolmabahçe Palace at dawn, Ukraine had not yet confirmed whether it would participate, there was still indications of the composition of her delegation. A spokesman for the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that “no meeting was planned.”

The meaning of the conversations

instead, and since the Kremlin CNN confirmed that Putin would definitely not appear, Ukrainian President Wolodymyr Selenskyj had talks with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in the capital Ankara. "Waiting is better than knowing the result," joked Stanislav Ivashchenko, a correspondent of the Russian Ministry of Defense, who was waiting for journalists pumped out with coffee. "Everyone is tired of this war, but we will defend our position."

Russia's point of view and the challenges

Russia's stubborn defense of his position is an essential reason that the Russian president unexpectedly proposed this talks five days ago. In view of an ultimatum from Kiev and its allies to sign a 30-day ceasefire or to confront with severe new sanctions, Putin chose a third way. "We propose to resume the negotiations that they stopped in 2022," he said in a briefing on Sunday morning.

The role of Donald Trump

The interests of Russia and Ukraine also contribute to the complexity of the situation. The US President again indicated that he could take part in the talks and said: "If something happens, I would consider coming on Friday." White House representative Keith Kellogg and Steve Witkoff are already planned for Friday in Istanbul.

Selenskyj's decision and the respect for Trump

Selenskyj made no institutions in his performance to hide that Trump played a key role in his final decision to deal with Russia. After his meeting with Erdoğan, he said that he would not only send a delegation to Istanbul, but that this should be guided by a higher official than the Russian side - Minister of Defense Rustem Umerov, "Out of respect for President Trump."

The future of relationships

Russia also observes exactly how Trump will choose and still hopes for a promised restart of relationships. Trump might have fueled these hopes when he said reporters in Abu Dhabi: "Nothing will happen until Putin and I come together."

The former Russian diplomat Boris Bondarev, who left his post in Geneva in 2022, believes that a meeting with Trump would be a significant profit for Putin, while he is not interested in meeting Selenskyj. "Two major powers should come together and discuss how subordinate countries should live under their umbrella," he said in an interview with CNN from Switzerland. "This is how he sees the world. That's why Selenskyj doesn't fit."