As the world’s attention turns to Istanbul, where peace talks between Russia and Ukraine are set to take place, the diplomatic climate remains highly tense. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky openly criticized the composition of the Russian delegation, while Moscow responded with dismissive and insulting remarks. What was expected to be a step toward reconciliation has instead become a stage for verbal confrontation.
According to Der Spiegel, the idea of holding negotiations in Turkey originally came from Russian President Vladimir Putin himself. However, contrary to expectations, he did not attend the talks and instead sent a lower-level delegation headed by his adviser Vladimir Medinsky. Zelensky called this decision not only disappointing but deliberately misleading. Speaking to the Turkish news agency Anadolu, he stated:
“The level of the Russian delegation is a blatant act of deception. It’s unclear whether these representatives can make any decisions at all.”
According to Zelensky, Ukraine is represented at the highest level, with officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Presidential Office, the military, and the intelligence services all present. He emphasized that Kyiv is ready for a serious and responsible discussion: “We are here to make decisions that can lead to a just peace.”
Moscow responded sharply. Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova, commenting on Zelensky’s remarks, did not hold back:
“Who even says such things? A clown? A failure? Definitely someone with no manners whatsoever.”
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov added that Zelensky’s demand for Putin’s personal presence in Istanbul was “pathetic.” Speaking at a diplomatic forum in Moscow, Lavrov said that the Russian president is under no obligation to attend in person and that such statements only undermine the negotiation process.
Interestingly, former U.S. President Donald Trump, who had previously hinted at attending the talks, also chose to stay away. Currently traveling in the Middle East, Trump commented from Qatar:
“I thought about going, but it’s quite difficult. If something happens, I might go tomorrow — if it’s appropriate.”
Trump expressed hope that Russia and Ukraine could achieve some kind of result through the talks but ultimately remained on the sidelines.
Meanwhile, preparations for the negotiations in Istanbul continue. Despite the heated rhetoric and the absence of heads of state, both sides are formally taking part. Yet, doubts loom over whether these talks will lead to de-escalation or become just another episode in a political performance. According to Der Spiegel, the parties seem more focused on exchanging accusations than on seeking common ground.
This article was prepared based on materials published by Der Spiegel. The author does not claim authorship of the original text but presents their interpretation of the content for informational purposes.
The original article can be found at the following link: Der Spiegel.
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