US Secretary of State Marco Rubio believes a breakthrough in Ukraine peace talks is unlikely without a direct meeting between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin. “I don’t think we’re going to have a breakthrough here until President Trump and President Putin interact directly on this topic,” Rubio said after a meeting of NATO foreign ministers in Turkey.
Rubio’s sentiments echo Trump’s own statements. When asked about the Russian delegation’s level, Trump replied, “Look, nothing’s going to happen until Putin and I get together… He wasn’t going if I wasn’t there and I don’t believe anything’s going to happen, whether you like it or not, until he and I get together.” Trump emphasized the need to resolve the conflict, saying, “But we’re going to have to get it solved because too many people are dying”.
Ukraine-Russia Peace Talks: Key Players and Expectations
The Ukrainian delegation, led by Defence Minister Rustem Umerov, will include deputy heads of intelligence, military general staff, and foreign ministry. Russia’s delegation, headed by presidential aide Vladimir Medinsky, will comprise Russia’s deputy defence minister, deputy foreign minister, and military intelligence head. Medinsky insists the Kremlin team has “all the necessary competencies,” while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky criticized the Russian delegation’s lack of seniority, calling it “disrespect” to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Trump.
Challenges and Objectives
The talks aim to establish long-term peace by addressing the conflict’s root causes. Medinsky described the negotiations as a “continuation” of failed talks in 2022. Russia’s objectives include Ukraine becoming a neutral country, reducing its military size, and abandoning NATO membership ambitions – conditions Ukraine has rejected as tantamount to capitulation. UK Defence Minister John Healey urged Ukraine’s allies to “put pressure on Putin” and impose further sanctions to bring him to the negotiating table.
Outlook and Implications
The outcome of the talks remains uncertain, with fighting ongoing in Ukraine. Rubio stressed that direct communication between Trump and Putin is crucial for real progress. Zelensky also emphasized the need for personal meetings, saying, “No time of the meeting, no agenda, no high-level of delegation – this is personal disrespect to Erdogan, to Trump.” The situation on the ground continues to deteriorate, with Russia controlling approximately 20% of Ukraine’s territory.