**Ukraine Accuses Russia of Undermining Istanbul Peace Talks**
The expected peace talks between Ukraine and Russia in Istanbul have hit a roadblock, with Ukraine blaming Russia for undermining the negotiations by making last-minute demands. According to reports from Sky News and The Guardian on May 16, Russia’s insistence on a one-on-one meeting without Turkish or U.S. officials has put the talks at risk.
**A Last-Minute Change of Heart**
Just days ago, Moscow proposed holding peace talks in Turkey this week, with President Vladimir Putin declining to attend and instead appointing his aide, Vladimir Medinsky, to lead the Russian delegation. The delegation consists of deputy ministers and lower-level aides, excluding top officials like Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky has described the move as a “sham delegation,” while Western officials see it as an indication that Putin is not serious about peace efforts.
**The Ukrainian Response**
Despite the setback, a Ukrainian delegation led by Presidential Office head Andriy Yermak, Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, and Defense Minister Rustem Umerov has arrived in Istanbul to meet with the Russian delegates. The Ukrainian team has already held meetings with U.S. officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
**The Path Forward**
Kyiv and its allies have urged Moscow to adopt an unconditional ceasefire starting May 12 as the first step toward peace talks – a proposal Russia has ignored. Ukraine hopes to discuss a possible truce in Istanbul, while Russia sees the meeting as a continuation of the 2022 talks and wants to address what it sees as the “root causes” of the war.
**What’s Next?**
The fate of the Istanbul peace talks remains uncertain. Will Russia’s last-minute demands derail the negotiations, or can Ukraine find a way to move forward despite these setbacks? One thing is clear – the path to peace in Ukraine will be long and difficult.
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