Overview

• Russian and Ukrainian delegations convened at Istanbul's Dolmabahçe Palace for their first direct negotiations since 2022, with Turkey acting as mediator.
• Neither Russian President Vladimir Putin nor Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky attended, sending mid-level officials instead, signaling mistrust and diminished expectations.
• Ukraine pushed for a 30-day ceasefire as a precondition for meaningful talks, but Russia rejected the proposal, citing broader demands including territorial concessions.
• U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and other Western officials participated in side meetings, emphasizing skepticism about the likelihood of a breakthrough without direct leader involvement.
• As talks began, Russian military operations continued, with Ukraine reporting shelling in Kupiansk that killed a civilian, highlighting the persistent conflict backdrop.