Just another performance with no real outcome — Portnikov on new round of Ukraine peace talks

Journalist Vitaly Portnikov shared this view on Espreso TV.

"From Putin's perspective, what's happening in Istanbul is simply a continuation of the talks that took place in 2022. Back then, there were no American, French, or British representatives involved. When, during the first round of the current talks, the Ukrainian and American delegations tried to include U.S. participation, the Russian side refused. As a result, the American diplomats present in Istanbul only held separate consultations with the Ukrainian delegation. These talks were largely symbolic and even less meaningful than the negotiations between Ukraine and Russia," Portnikov explained.

The journalist emphasized that the Kremlin continues to mock President Donald Trump, who stubbornly refuses to take tough action against Russia.

"If you’re not allowed to participate in the negotiations but agree to it anyway, then it doesn’t matter much that you’re talking with a delegation that also wants a ceasefire. I expect something similar now. The American, French, and British delegations will arrive in Istanbul. Maybe Medinsky will find time to meet some of them, but mostly, we’ll just see the usual backdrop of talks between Ukraine and Russia without any real results. The Kremlin keeps making a fool of President Trump. Even the memorandum that Russia was supposed to propose hasn’t been prepared. In fact, the Kremlin has decided that preparing this memorandum and negotiating with Ukraine should happen at the same time," he added.

Ukraine-Russia peace talks: background

On May 16, a trilateral meeting of delegations from Ukraine, the U.S., and Turkey took place in Istanbul, followed by direct negotiations between representatives of Russia and Ukraine. According to Ukraine's Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, the key issues were a prisoner exchange in a “1000 for 1000” format, the possibility of a ceasefire, and a potential meeting between Zelenskyy and Putin.

On May 19, Donald Trump, after a conversation with Vladimir Putin, announced the immediate start of peace talks between Ukraine and Russia. However, on May 20, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated that there were no timelines for preparing a peace memorandum. Later, on May 22, the Russian Foreign Ministry declared that Volodymyr Zelenskyy does not have the authority to sign a peace memorandum and that Ukraine must elect a new president.

On May 27, U.S. President’s special representative Keith Kellogg announced that Washington had received a document from Ukraine outlining conditions for peace and is now awaiting a memorandum from Russia. He also mentioned a possible location for future negotiations between the parties. On the same day, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan proposed Istanbul as the venue for a new round of talks between Russia and Ukraine.

On May 28, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated that an announcement about a new round of talks between the Ukrainian and Russian sides would supposedly be made soon. At the same time, Dmitry Peskov noted that a meeting between Putin and Zelenskyy is possible only if concrete agreements are reached. He also added that work on the Russian draft memorandum is almost complete.

On May 28, Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported that Rustem Umerov had called Putin’s aide, Vladimir Medinsky, but the Ukrainian side still has not received a memorandum from Russia. After this, Lavrov stated that the Russian delegation is ready to present their memorandum at the second round of talks with Ukraine in Istanbul on June 2.

The Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs believes that the Russian side is delaying the peace process aimed at ending the war.