KYIV/ISTANBUL: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has accused Russia of deliberately obstructing progress in the upcoming round of peace negotiations, raising doubts over Moscow’s sincerity ahead of scheduled talks in Istanbul.
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While the Kremlin confirmed it will dispatch a delegation to the meeting, Kyiv expressed frustration that Russia has yet to submit any formal proposals—despite Ukraine having already outlined its terms, including a call for a complete and unconditional ceasefire.
“For any dialogue to be productive, there must be a clear agenda and genuine preparation,” Zelensky said in a national address. “Russia appears intent on ensuring these discussions yield no results.”
Russia Yet to Present Ceasefire Conditions
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirmed that Moscow’s conditions for a potential ceasefire would be shared during the Istanbul talks but added that these would remain confidential for now.
The peace talks are being held as the war—sparked by Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022—enters its third year. Moscow continues to occupy roughly 20% of Ukrainian territory, including Crimea, which it annexed in 2014.
The last round of discussions held in Istanbul two weeks ago failed to deliver major breakthroughs but did result in a prisoner exchange between the two nations.
Escalating Violence Ahead of Talks
In the lead-up to the latest negotiations, fresh violence erupted across multiple regions. Ukrainian officials reported deadly airstrikes in Kherson, where three civilians were killed and ten others injured. The regional military administration said critical infrastructure and residential areas were targeted.
One death was also reported in Ukraine’s northern Sumy region, while several explosions rocked Kharkiv and Izyum, leaving at least one person injured in each city.
On the Russian side, an explosion in the Kursk region injured at least 14 individuals, according to acting regional governor Alexander Khinshtein and Russian news outlet TASS.
Kyiv Reaffirms Ceasefire Commitment
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha reiterated Kyiv's commitment to peace, saying Ukraine had already submitted its proposed roadmap for ending hostilities.
“Russia must accept an unconditional ceasefire if it genuinely wants peace,” Sybiha emphasized during a joint press conference with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan. “We aim to end this war in 2025.”
Fidan noted that while Presidents Putin and Zelensky would not attend the Monday meeting, Turkey hopes to eventually facilitate a high-level summit.
“It’s time to bring President Trump, President Putin, and President Zelensky to the negotiating table,” he said.
U.S. and NATO Perspectives on the Peace Process
Peskov, speaking from Moscow, said a summit involving national leaders would only be possible if significant headway is made in preliminary discussions. He also welcomed recent remarks by retired U.S. General Keith Kellogg, an envoy under President Donald Trump, who acknowledged that Russia’s concerns over NATO expansion are “understandable.”
General Kellogg clarified that Ukraine’s NATO membership is not currently on the agenda. He added that President Trump remains “deeply frustrated” by Russia’s approach but remains committed to sustaining dialogue.
Trump and Putin’s Call on Ceasefire Efforts
On May 19, Trump and Putin reportedly held a two-hour phone call regarding a U.S.-initiated ceasefire framework. Trump described the call as "very constructive" and expressed optimism that formal negotiations to end the conflict could begin "immediately."
While Ukraine has openly agreed to a 30-day ceasefire, Russia has only committed to working on a potential “memorandum” outlining a path to future peace—an approach that Kyiv and its Western allies view as a delay tactic aimed at consolidating Russian territorial gains.
Strong Words and Shifting Alliances
Following one of Russia's largest drone and missile strikes against Ukraine, Trump publicly condemned Putin, calling him “absolutely crazy” and threatening new U.S. sanctions.
In a related development, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz assured Zelensky that Berlin will assist Ukraine in manufacturing long-range missiles to enhance its defensive capabilities.
The Kremlin responded sharply, warning that lifting range restrictions on Ukraine’s weapons would significantly escalate tensions and damage ongoing peace efforts.
