Delegations from Ukraine and Russia have arrived in Turkey, but it is unclear whether negotiations will take place

Despite the loud statements, the talks in Istanbul have not yet begun as of the evening of May 15. The time of the meeting remains unclear, and according to the Turkish Foreign Ministry, it is not even scheduled. Zelensky is in Ankara, his delegation is not yet in Istanbul, and Putin and Trump do not plan to come at all. Air force keeps a chronicle of events.

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The day began with high expectations: the first face-to-face talks between Russia and Ukraine since 2022 with the participation of the United States and Turkey were to take place in Istanbul. But everything turned out to be more complicated. In Ankara, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met with Turkish leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan, in Antalya, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio discussed the future of the Alliance with NATO ministers, and in Istanbul, the Russian delegation was expecting “serious talks” that never began. A source in the Turkish Foreign Ministry told the BBC that “the meeting has not yet been scheduled,” although the delegations are already there.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan remains optimistic: “If the positions of the parties are agreed upon and trust is established, an important step towards peace will be taken.” He noted that the very fact of leaders and delegations visiting Turkey is already a sign of “the will for peace.” But behind the scenes of diplomatic rhetoric there is tension, mutual accusations and uncertainty about who will sit down at the negotiating table and when.

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Russia and Ukraine accuse each other of not being serious: Zelensky calls the Russian delegation “a sham,” while Lavrov replies that Zelensky is “pathetic.” In this atmosphere of mutual mistrust, Turkey is trying to play the role of peacemaker, but so far without success.

Zelensky had previously offered to meet Putin in person. But Putin's absence and the sending of a "junior" delegation, in Ukraine's view, indicate Moscow's reluctance to negotiate. Russia insists it is ready for compromise, but its rhetoric remains evasive. The US, represented by Trump and Rubio, is balancing between pressure on Russia and calls for Europe to take on more responsibility.

Turkey remains a key platform for dialogue, but so far the talks look more like diplomatic games than a real breakthrough. Zelensky demonstrates a readiness for peace, but demands concrete steps from Russia. Moscow talks about compromises, but does not back them up with actions. Trump is waiting for a personal meeting with Putin. In this game, each participant wants to save face, but no one is ready to take the first step toward a real truce.

The main figure of the day was Zelensky. At a press conference in Ankara after a meeting with Erdogan, he confirmed that he was sending a high-level delegation led by the Minister of Defense to Istanbul for talks with Russia, the United States and Turkey.

"We are doing this out of respect for President Trump and President Erdogan," he said, stressing that Ukraine is "ready for direct negotiations."

Zelensky accused Russia of not taking the process seriously. According to the Ukrainian president, Moscow sent a “low-level delegation,” which, in his opinion, indicates the Kremlin’s unwillingness to conduct real negotiations.

“They sent front men,” he said, recalling that Putin himself proposed direct negotiations, but did not show up in person.

"He doesn't want a ceasefire," Zelensky concluded. "Why is Trump showing political will, but Putin isn't?"

Zelensky clearly outlined Ukraine's position: the war will not end without a ceasefire, and a ceasefire is impossible without mutual consent. He called for increased pressure on Russia, in particular the introduction of new sanctions, and emphasized that Ukraine is not an aggressor, but a victim ready to compromise.

"We have many conditions, but if there is an unconditional ceasefire, we will accept it," he stressed, adding that his delegation in Istanbul "guarantees no surprises." Zelensky even challenged Putin: "If you are ready for unconditional negotiations, let's meet."

The Russian delegation arrived in Istanbul led by Vladimir Medinsky, a Kremlin aide. Medinsky, whom Zelensky called part of a “low-level” team, tried to rebut criticism by clarifying that his delegation was made up of “top officials from all relevant agencies.” He stressed that Russia views the talks as a follow-up to the 2022 meetings and is in a “working mood.”

Medinsky repeated twice that Russia was “ready to discuss possible compromises,” which sounds like a step toward dialogue but lacks specifics. His words contrast with the harsh rhetoric of the Russian Foreign Ministry: Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov called Zelensky “pathetic” in response to his criticism of the Russian delegation. This shows that Moscow, despite its statements about compromises, is not ready to give in to public debate.

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While Zelensky and Medinsky traded statements, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio was in Antalya working to shore up the West’s position. He met with NATO foreign ministers to discuss President Trump’s efforts to end the war. US government spokeswoman Tammy Bruce said ministers from Italy, France, Germany and the UK had agreed on the need to strengthen “burden sharing” in NATO and increase European defence spending. Rubio stressed that “European leadership is critical” to the success of the talks.

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