On May 15, 2025, a Russian delegation arrived in Istanbul for the first direct peace talks with Ukraine in over three years. Notably absent from the delegation is Russian President Vladimir Putin, who, despite proposing the talks, has chosen not to attend. Instead, the Russian team is led by Putin's aide, Vladimir Medinsky, along with Deputy Defense Minister Alexander Fomin and Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is en route to Ankara, Turkey's capital, where he plans to meet with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. Zelenskyy has expressed willingness to engage in peace talks and has challenged Putin to meet him directly, emphasizing Ukraine's openness to "any format" of negotiations.

The discussions are expected to focus on a proposed 30-day unconditional ceasefire, a plan supported by U.S. President Donald Trump. While Trump has indicated a possibility of attending the talks, his participation remains uncertain.

The absence of Putin from the talks has raised questions about Russia's commitment to the peace process. Western diplomats interpret this move as a sign that the Kremlin may not be serious about reaching a resolution, especially given ongoing military activities in Ukraine.

As the international community watches closely, the outcome of these talks in Istanbul could significantly impact the trajectory of the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine.