Russia-Ukraine Talks

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will be in Turkey this week for peace talks with Russia. The talks, scheduled for tomorrow in Istanbul, will be the first direct negotiations between the two countries since shortly after the war broke out in early 2022. See a recap of those early talks, also in Istanbul, here.

Russian President Vladimir Putin proposed the negotiations Sunday, in response to European pressure for a 30-day ceasefire. Putin has punted on whether he will attend this week’s negotiations; a delegation could reportedly be led by Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. Putin's offer was meant to forestall fresh sanctions on Russia’s oil and financial sectors from the UK, Germany, Poland, and France. The countries now intend to levy the sanctions if talks fail to deliver a ceasefire. 

The negotiations come as Russia holds part of four southeastern regions in Ukraine. See the latest war updates here (w/maps).