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Negotiating teams from Russia and Ukraine met in Istanbul on Friday — marking the first time that officials from the countries have had face-to-face dialogue since previous peace talks broke down in the first months of the conflict.

Negotiating teams from Russia and Ukraine met in Istanbul on Friday — marking the first time that officials from the countries have had face-to-face dialogue since previous peace talks broke down in the first months of the conflict.

Talks got underway a day after originally scheduled after Russia's delegation arrived in Istanbul on Thursday, but Ukraine's delegation remained in Ankara with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The Ukrainian leader held the team back after Russian President Vladimir Putin <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.verity.news/story/2025/putin-not-named-in-russias-delegation-to-ukraine-peace-talks">declined a challenge from Zelenskyy</a> to attend the talks in person.

Talks got underway a day after originally scheduled after Russia's delegation arrived in Istanbul on Thursday, but Ukraine's delegation remained in Ankara with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The Ukrainian leader held the team back after Russian President Vladimir Putin declined a challenge from Zelenskyy to attend the talks in person.

After emerging from a meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan late on Thursday, Zelenskyy alleged Putin's absence showed a lack of seriousness but said he released the negotiating team to Istanbul out of respect to U.S. President Donald Trump and the Turkish leader.

After emerging from a meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan late on Thursday, Zelenskyy alleged Putin's absence showed a lack of seriousness but said he released the negotiating team to Istanbul out of respect to U.S. President Donald Trump and the Turkish leader.

Meanwhile, Trump again suggested he may travel to Istanbul, as well as justifying Putin's decision not to attend. "Why would he go if I'm not going?" Trump said. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One later on Thursday, he suggested "nothing is going to happen" on Ukraine talks "until Putin and I get together."

Meanwhile, Trump again suggested he may travel to Istanbul, as well as justifying Putin's decision not to attend. "Why would he go if I'm not going?" Trump said. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One later on Thursday, he suggested "nothing is going to happen" on Ukraine talks "until Putin and I get together."

On Friday morning, ahead of talks, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters that a Putin-Trump meeting was "undoubtedly necessary," but warned that preparation was needed before talks could take place.

On Friday morning, ahead of talks, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters that a Putin-Trump meeting was "undoubtedly necessary," but warned that preparation was needed before talks could take place.

Opening Friday's meeting between Russia and Ukraine at the Dolmabahce Palace, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan told the delegations: "There are two paths ahead of us: one road will take us on a process that will lead to peace, while the other will lead to more destruction and death. The sides will decide on their own, with their own will, which path they choose."

Opening Friday's meeting between Russia and Ukraine at the Dolmabahce Palace, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan told the delegations: "There are two paths ahead of us: one road will take us on a process that will lead to peace, while the other will lead to more destruction and death. The sides will decide on their own, with their own will, which path they choose."

Russia-Ukraine Delegations Meet for First Time Since 2022

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Russia-Ukraine Delegations Meet for First Time Since 2022

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