Overview
- Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump are absent from the Istanbul negotiations, with delegations led by Vladimir Medinsky for Russia and Secretary of State Marco Rubio for the U.S.
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has arrived in Turkey, reiterating his call for an unconditional 30-day ceasefire as a prerequisite for meaningful progress.
- The European Union has implemented its 17th sanctions package targeting nearly 200 Russian vessels, aiming to curtail energy exports and economic resilience.
- China has reaffirmed its support for dialogue and negotiation, emphasizing the importance of a peaceful resolution to the three-year conflict.
- Talks are expected to address key issues, including territorial disputes, prisoner exchanges, and the potential for a broader ceasefire, though skepticism remains over Russia's intentions.