Russia to skip Ukraine talks in Turkey as Zelenskiy seeks renewal

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy plans to visit Turkey on November 19 in an effort to restart negotiations with Russia over the ongoing war. The talks are seen as a chance to reinvigorate stalled peace efforts and discuss key issues including prisoner exchanges. A U.S. special envoy, Steve Witkoff, is expected to join the discussions.

Kremlin confirms no Russian participation

The Kremlin announced that no Russian delegates would attend the talks in Turkey, with spokesman Dmitry Peskov stating that current contacts are proceeding without Russia’s presence. Putin’s special envoy Kirill Dmitriev will also not be part of the meetings. Despite this, Moscow has expressed openness to further dialogue with the U.S. and Turkey concerning the outcomes of these discussions.

Turkey’s role as a mediator

Turkey, a NATO member maintaining relations with both Russia and Ukraine, has hosted numerous talks since 2022 aiming to resolve the conflict. However, diplomatic progress has slowed recently, with tensions heightened by U.S. sanctions on Russian oil companies. Peace negotiations remain fragile, as Russia continues to insist on its demands and Ukraine seeks support from Western allies.

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Challenges ahead

Direct talks between Kyiv and Moscow have been rare in recent months, and the outlook for breakthroughs remains uncertain. While prisoner exchange talks remain a priority for Kyiv, the broader goal of ending the war faces significant obstacles. The planned talks in Turkey represent one of the last diplomatic avenues to pursue peace in a conflict that has deeply affected the region and global stability.