Delegations from the United States, Ukraine, and Türkiye gathered in Istanbul on Friday for high-stakes trilateral discussions ahead of anticipated Russia-Ukraine peace talks. The closed-door meeting at the historic Dolmabahce Presidential Office marked the first such dialogue between the three nations as diplomatic efforts intensify to address the prolonged conflict.
The U.S. delegation, led by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, included Ambassador to Türkiye Tom Barrack and Special Representative for Ukraine Keith Kellogg. Ukraine's team featured Head of the Presidential Office Andriy Yermak, Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, and Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha. Türkiye's Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan chaired the session, supported by National Intelligence Organization Director Ibrahim Kalin.
While details remain scarce due to the private nature of the talks, officials released a single photo confirming the discussions. A follow-up meeting between Russian, Ukrainian, and Turkish delegations is set to occur, with Russia's Presidential Aide Vladimir Medinsky leading Moscow's team. These talks represent the first direct engagement between Ukrainian and Russian officials since March 2022, when previous Istanbul negotiations failed to yield a ceasefire.
The Istanbul meetings underscore Türkiye's growing role as a mediator in the conflict, leveraging its strategic position bridging Europe and Asia. Analysts suggest the outcomes could influence global energy markets and regional security frameworks, with implications for businesses and governments worldwide.
