It was the primary face-to-face assembly between Ukrainian and Russian authorities officers since 2022 – and it lasted barely two hours.
There have been hopes that the encounter in Istanbul, Turkey, may mark a turning level in Europe’s deadliest battle since World Battle Two.
However in actuality, the talks proved to be extra mirage than breakthrough – what the world has witnessed over the previous couple of days was performative nevertheless it lacked actual substance.
Ukraine battle newest: World reacts to two-hour peace talks
What it did present, although, was that the gulf between the 2 sides stays as huge as ever.
And on the centre of all it is a query of worldwide willpower – significantly that of the USA.
The way forward for any significant peace course of might now relaxation on the extent to which Donald Trump is prepared to remain engaged.
That engagement may ultimately result in the last word diplomatic assembly between Vladimir Putin, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and the American president.
However attending to that time shall be gradual, unsure, and politically fraught.
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Russian and Ukrainian delegations attend talks on the Dolmabahce Palace in Istanbul. Pic: AP
Success over prisoner exchanges
There was, nevertheless, one concrete achievement: Russia and Ukraine agreed to a large-scale prisoner swap, probably involving hundreds of captives.
It could be the most important such trade for the reason that battle started and will function a constructing block for extra substantive diplomacy.
Nonetheless, the extent of participation on the talks advised its personal story.
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Zelenskyy had challenged Putin to satisfy him – however the Russian president didn’t present up. Pic: AP
Neither Putin – nor different senior Russian officers for that matter – attended, undermining Moscow’s claims of seriousness within the eyes of many individuals.
Ukrainian President Zelenskyy had overtly dared Putin to satisfy face-to-face in a sport of geopolitical poker.
It was a transfer designed to name Putin’s bluff after he referred to as for the direct talks within the first place, and in addition underline Kyiv’s dedication to peace and sustaining very important US assist.
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Faucet to comply with
Ukraine accuses Russia of stalling the method with maximalist, unrealistic calls for.
From Kyiv’s perspective, Moscow is enjoying for time, hoping the battle’s momentum will ultimately shift additional in its favour strengthening its hand diplomatically.
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Zelenskyy in Ankara on Thursday. Pic: Reuters
And with current battlefield positive factors, Putin seems in no rush to barter a ceasefire – which was the central goal of the Ukrainian delegation.
What does Putin need?
In the end, the Russian president appears to be angling for a grand diplomatic discount – one which would come with a gathering with Trump and consequence within the geopolitical restoration of Russian dominance over swathes of the post-Soviet area.
The Istanbul talks have been symbolically vital – however they’ve additionally revealed a stark actuality: the 2 sides stay worlds aside.
And neither seems able to make the powerful concessions crucial for peace.
Till that adjustments, any decision to the Ukraine battle will stay distant – a mirage on the horizon.
