Rubio Arrives in Istanbul for Ukraine Talks Marred by Political Maneuvering

Marco Rubio, the top US diplomat, arrived on Friday in Istanbul, where, after some confusion and uncertainty, Russian and Ukrainian delegations are expected to meet face-to-face for the first time since 2022 for ceasefire negotiations.

The confusion was centered on the location and the format of today’s talks following weeks of diplomatic maneuvering between Washington, Kyiv and Moscow just to get everyone anywhere near a negotiating table.

Russian President Vladimir Putin, who originally proposed the talks, will not attend today’s talks. Neither will Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky, who criticized Putin for sending a “decorative” lineup instead of attending himself.

Negotiations between Rubio and senior Turkish and Ukrainian officials will kick off at Istanbul’s Dolmabahçe Palace this morning.

https://www.kyivpost.com/post/52765