EDITOR'S CORNER: Peace Talks or Games?

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This week was an interesting one for Ukraine’s ongoing war and diplomacy. On Thursday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy issued a bold public challenge to Russian President Vladimir Putin, inviting him to face-to-face peace talks in Turkey. Although Ukraine maintains an official policy barring negotiations with Putin, Zelenskyy explained that he couldn’t prohibit himself from pursuing dialogue in the name of peace. Predictably, Putin declined to attend.

Former U.S. President Donald Trump, always eager to insert himself into global affairs, hinted that he might “pop in” to the talks if his schedule allowed. Ultimately, he didn’t show either. Later, he clarified that he would only participate if Putin did—remarking that he understood Putin’s absence, suggesting the Russian leader would only attend if Trump were there too.

This blog post explores the real significance of this moment: What is Russia aiming to achieve? And what exactly is Trump playing at?


PEACE TALKS IN TURKEY

Zelenskyy arrived in Ankara on Thursday to meet with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and his political allies ahead of the proposed talks. For days, speculation swirled about whether Putin would make a dramatic appearance. By Wednesday evening, the Kremlin officially confirmed he would not attend, choosing instead to send a group of low-ranking, largely symbolic representatives.

Zelenskyy rightfully interpreted this as a deliberate insult. He publicly criticized Putin’s absence, calling it not just disrespectful to Ukraine but also a slight to Trump and, more importantly, to the pursuit of peace itself. Nevertheless, Ukraine proceeded peace talks today with its delegation, led by the Ukrainian Minister of Defence, in a gesture of good faith—to see if anything productive could emerge, even from symbolic talks.

WHAT WAS DISCUSSED

Substantive progress was limited. The two sides discussed the exchange of 1,000 prisoners of war—an encouraging step, even if modest. Ukraine pressed for a “full, unconditional, and honest” ceasefire.

Russia, in turn, issued a series of extreme and unacceptable demands, including the withdrawal of Ukrainian forces from Ukrainian territory currently under occupation—an obvious non-starter.

Still, both sides agreed to set new dates for follow-up discussions, including talks on ceasefire terms and potential space cooperation.

WHAT NOW?

That remains the million-dollar question. Trump has returned to the U.S., claiming he wants to meet with Putin directly. Meanwhile, Putin continues to avoid the spotlight, understanding that any real peace deal could be a political death sentence. His grip on power is fragile, and in many ways, he’s a “dead man walking” if this war ends without a clear Russian victory.

The Russian economy is faltering. International sanctions are biting deeper. Domestic unrest simmers beneath the surface. For Putin, the options are grim: engineer a high-stakes confrontation with NATO to shift focus and rally nationalistic support, or face an uncertain—and likely violent—fall from power. There is no quiet retirement for him, only the looming threat of exile, poison, or a fatal fall from a high window.

CONCLUSION 

The peace talks in Turkey may appear to be little more than political theater, but behind the scenes, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Ukraine is pushing for genuine diplomacy under impossible odds. Russia continues to play games, not just with Ukraine but with global stability. And Trump’s opportunistic flirtation with the process only adds confusion and spectacle, not substance.

Still, the fact that dialogue—however lopsided—occurred at all is a testament to Ukraine’s resilience and its commitment to peace, even in the face of disrespect and provocation. The road ahead is uncertain, but one thing is clear: the outcome of this conflict will not just shape the future of Eastern Europe—it will redefine the global order.

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