A Russian delegation has arrived in Istanbul for long-awaited ceasefire negotiations with Ukraine, state media reported Thursday. However, Russian President Vladimir Putin will not attend the talks. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who demanded Putin’s presence for direct negotiations, is meeting Turkish President Erdogan first before deciding next steps. While the agenda and duration remain uncertain, the talks mark the first direct attempt at peace since early 2022. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said discussions may extend beyond Thursday depending on their progress.
