Overview

• The first direct peace talks between Ukraine and Russia since 2022, planned for Thursday in Istanbul, have been delayed to Friday morning, according to Russian negotiators.
• Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyj and Russian President Vladimir Putin are absent, with Ukraine represented by Defense Minister Rustam Umerow and Russia by advisor Wladimir Medinski.
• Zelenskyj criticized the Russian delegation as a 'sham' with unclear mandates, while Moscow defended its representatives as highly qualified experts.
• Turkey, led by Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, continues to mediate the discussions, with Fidan meeting the Russian delegation Thursday evening ahead of the rescheduled talks.
• The talks follow years of failed negotiations and ongoing hostilities, including recent civilian casualties in Ukraine's Sumy region.