Category
Latest news

Ukraine, US, and Türkiye Launch Trilateral Talks in Istanbul Ahead of Peace Talks With Russia

2 min read
Authors
Amira_barkhush
Amira Barkhush
Author
Ukraine, US, and Türkiye Launch Trilateral Talks in Istanbul Ahead of Peace Talks With Russia
The Türkiye-US-Ukraine Trilateral Meeting is being held at the Turkish Presidency’s Dolmabahce working office under the chairmanship of Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan in Istanbul, Türkiye on May 16, 2025. (Source: Getty Images)

Ukrainian, US, and Turkish officials begin their trilateral meeting in Istanbul on May 16, ahead of anticipated peace talks with Russia, Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry announced.

A video released by the ministry shows Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, Presidential Office Head Andriy Yermak, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan together ahead of the talks.

Later in the day, the Ukrainian delegation is scheduled to hold its first direct negotiations with Russian officials since 2022, with Turkish representatives in attendance. According to Anadolu Ajansı, the Türkiye-Russia-Ukraine trilateral meeting, set to begin at 12:30 p.m.

Separate US-Russia meetings are also expected, although Rubio stated he would not meet with Moscow’s delegation.

On May 15, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived in Ankara for a meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. Zelenskyy had previously stated he was prepared to meet Russian leader Vladimir Putin in person in Istanbul on the same day, following Moscow’s call for direct negotiations.

However, it was reported that Putin was not on Russia’s delegation for the upcoming negotiations.

Rubio, for his part, expressed limited expectations for progress in the latest round of discussions between Ukraine and Russia. He noted that Russia had sent a relatively low-level delegation to the talks, which he suggested could limit their effectiveness.

See all