Istanbul Hosts Trilateral Peace Talks Between Turkey, Russia, and Ukraine Amid Tense Expectations

Discussions in Istanbul involving Turkey’s chief diplomat and a Russian delegation have concluded, with plans to reconvene on Friday for talks that will include representatives from Ukraine, according to a source from the foreign ministry.

The meeting, which took place at the Dolmabahçe Palace, involved Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and a Russian team led by Vladimir Medinsky, and wrapped up late Thursday, the source noted.

«The discussions have concluded. Tomorrow we will continue with talks in various formats,» the source indicated, mentioning that «trilateral discussions between Russia, Ukraine, and Turkey are scheduled.»

There are also plans for a round of talks involving officials from the U.S., Ukraine, and Turkey.

«It has not yet been confirmed if a quadrilateral format will be established,» which would involve participants from all four nations, the source added.

Russia and Ukraine were anticipated to engage in their first direct peace discussions in over three years in Istanbul on Thursday.

However, as the day progressed without specific timing details, uncertainty lingered regarding when the two parties might convene. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio suggested the meetings would take place on Friday.

While speaking to reporters at a NATO summit in Antalya, Rubio mentioned he would meet Ukraine’s foreign minister, Andrii Sybiha, on Friday in Istanbul.

Additionally, he noted that a lower-ranking U.S. official would hold discussions with the Russian delegation.

«I want to be straightforward… our expectations for what will transpire tomorrow are not particularly high,» Rubio remarked, expressing hope that Turkey would facilitate a meeting between the two delegations.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who had traveled to Turkey hoping to engage with a senior Russian delegation in Istanbul, opted instead to remain in Ankara for talks with Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

Given Russia’s relatively low-level representation, Zelensky subsequently assigned his defense minister, Rustem Umerov, to head the Ukrainian delegation.

Medinsky, leading the Russian contingent, is a hardline advisor to President Vladimir Putin who has disputed Ukraine’s sovereignty and previously oversaw unsuccessful negotiations at the onset of the war in 2022.