"Ukraine to Join Peace Talks as US Claims Breakthrough Requires Trump and Putin"

 

Zelensky Confirms Ukraine Delegation for Peace Talks, as US Pushes for Trump-Putin Meeting

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has confirmed that a delegation, led by the country’s defence minister, will attend peace talks with Russian officials in Istanbul. However, he criticized Moscow for not taking the talks seriously, citing the “low-level” status of the Russian delegation. The head of the Russian team, presidential aide Vladimir Medinsky, defended their credentials, claiming they had “all the necessary competencies.”

Meanwhile, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, speaking in Turkey after a NATO foreign ministers' meeting, said meaningful progress is unlikely without direct engagement between former President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

“I don't think we're going to have a breakthrough until President Trump and President Putin interact directly on this topic,” Rubio said.

Trump, currently touring the Middle East, echoed the sentiment. Speaking to the BBC aboard Air Force One, he downplayed the current talks, stating, “Nothing's going to happen until Putin and I get together.” He added, “Whether people like it or not, that’s the reality. Too many people are dying, and we need to resolve this.”

Trump indicated he might attend the Istanbul talks on Friday “if appropriate,” though his exact plans remain unclear. The talks, originally scheduled for Thursday, had yet to be officially timed as of the evening, with some reports suggesting they could now take place on Friday.