Hopes Fade for Peace in Ukraine as Putin Downgrades Diplomatic Talks

With expectations for a positive outcome at an all-time low, negotiations to end the war in Ukraine are set to take place today (15.05.2025). Initially, there were rumors that both Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump might participate in the Ukraine peace talks in Constantinople. However, with neither leader attending, hopes have dwindled. Late Wednesday night (14.05.2025), Vladimir Putin announced Russia’s delegation for direct negotiations with Ukraine regarding the conflict resolution. The delegation includes a presidential advisor, a top diplomat, and senior military and intelligence officers. Leading the team will be Vladimir Medinsky, who previously led unsuccessful peace talks in 2022. Also joining will be Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin, Deputy Defense Minister Alexander Fomin, diplomats, and intelligence officials. Additionally, Igor Kostyukov, Director of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Russian Military Intelligence Service (GRU), will be part of the delegation. Meanwhile, Donald Trump confirmed he won’t travel to Turkey for the Russia-Ukraine talks. U.S. President Trump had hinted he might visit Turkey if Putin attended, but this won’t happen. Volodymyr Zelenskyy is heading to Ankara, where he is expected to meet Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. “I am waiting to see who will come from Russia, and then I will decide which steps Ukraine should take,” Zelenskyy stated. These negotiations mark the first direct talks between Moscow and Kyiv since early 2022, when both sides attempted to agree on a ceasefire during the war’s initial weeks.