Istanbul talks: Battleground for Ukraine, Russia, and White House power struggle

The author of the Resurgam Telegram discussed the issue.

As Istanbul prepares to host high-stakes diplomatic negotiations, the spotlight is turning to an escalating rivalry within the White House itself. Competing American power centers, led by Secretary of State Rubio and special envoy Witkoff, are maneuvering for control over the direction of U.S. foreign policy.

On one side, Secretary Rubio has stepped up his diplomatic efforts, recently holding discussions with Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Sybyha, EU foreign policy chief Kallas, and the foreign ministers of France, Germany, and Poland. While the details remain under wraps, sources suggest these talks focused on aligning Western positions ahead of the Istanbul summit.

Meanwhile, Witkoff, representing a different approach, has made public statements aimed at bolstering the Kremlin’s stance before negotiations begin. The rivalry between Rubio and Witkoff has become increasingly public, with American media previously reporting on their competition for the role of chief architect of U.S. foreign policy.

Rubio has claimed credit for brokering a relative ceasefire between India and Pakistan, contrasting his proactive mediation with Witkoff and former President Trump’s earlier hands-off approach. Trump has since touted the agreement as a diplomatic win. Witkoff, for his part, points to the release of American citizen Edan Alexander as a success, though critics note this achievement is overshadowed by his simultaneous deterioration of relations with key ally Israel.

The Istanbul summit is thus shaping up as a contest between two American diplomatic tracks. Rubio and Kellogg will champion the Euro-American track, aiming to demonstrate to Trump that Moscow is unwilling to compromise and to push for increased pressure on Russia. Witkoff, on the other hand, will advocate for the American-Moscow track, defending his backchannel negotiations and seeking to deliver Trump a symbolic victory — even if it comes at the expense of U.S. alliances.

Observers note that Trump’s penchant for quick wins means he is often presented with “toys” to showcase on air, regardless of their strategic value. As a result, Istanbul will not only be a stage for Ukraine and Russia to confront each other, but also for the White House’s internal struggle to play out in full view.

For Ukraine, this internal American rivalry may offer a rare opportunity. Under Trump’s administration, Kyiv has often found itself without strong advocates in Washington. Now, as Rubio and Witkoff push their competing agendas to the extremes, their rivalry could inadvertently create space for Ukraine’s interests to be heard — if only as a byproduct of the battle to determine the White House’s foreign policy champion.

• Russian leader Vladimir Putin has said he’s ready to hold direct talks with Ukraine in Turkey next week, but rejected the idea of a 30-day ceasefire. In response, U.S. leader Donald Trump said he would continue to work with both sides, and that the coming week would be “great.”
• President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he would "personally" wait for Russian leader Vladimir Putin in Turkey on May 15.
• U.S. President Donald Trump stated that he may personally be present in Istanbul on May 15, where negotiations between Kyiv and Moscow are likely to take place.