Peace talks between Russia and Ukraine held in Istanbul after seven weeks. US President Donald Trump, putting pressure on Putin, warned of sanctions if an agreement is not reached in 50 days.
Russia-Ukraine: The peace talks between Russia and Ukraine, which had been stalled for the past seven weeks, have resumed. Delegations from both countries met in Istanbul, Turkey on Wednesday, where they held talks for approximately three hours. Expectations were not high for this meeting, but it is being seen as an initial step towards a potential future summit. Notably, this meeting occurred shortly after US President Donald Trump adopted a tough stance against Russia, issuing a new warning.
America's Role Behind the Talks
America's active role is considered to be behind the organization of this latest meeting. President Trump has clearly stated that if Russia does not reach a peace agreement soon, it and its major trading partners will face severe economic sanctions. This warning from Trump has increased global pressure on Russia. This is why Moscow has been forced to return to the negotiating table.
Previous Meetings on May 16 and June 2 Remained Limited
Prior to this, two limited-time meetings were held between Russia and Ukraine on May 16 and June 2. In these meetings, both sides exchanged prisoners of war and the bodies of deceased soldiers. However, these meetings lasted for a total of less than three hours, and no concrete decisions were taken on the subject of ending the war.
Ukraine Wants Presidential-Level Talks
Ukraine has been consistently demanding that the next meeting be held at the level of the two countries' presidents. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy believes that no concrete solution is possible until there is direct dialogue with Vladimir Putin. The talks in Istanbul are being seen as a potential start in this direction. However, the Kremlin has not yet agreed to any such possibility.
Trump's Sharp Stance on Putin
In the past few weeks, US President Trump's rhetoric regarding Putin has intensified. He has clearly warned Russia that if a peace agreement is not reached within 50 days, the US will impose sanctions on Russia and also on countries that buy products like oil and gas from Russia. The impact of this warning has not been limited to the diplomatic level, but has also been seen in international markets.
Increased Volatility in Financial Markets
After Trump's statement, there was unrest in global financial markets. Investors fear that if the US really imposes sanctions on Russia and its trading partners, it will affect energy supplies and global inflation could rise again. However, some analysts believe that this warning may force Russia to become serious about peace.
Growing Warmth in Relations Between Zelenskyy and Trump
It is worth noting that relations between President Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy were quite strained until a few months ago. In February, there was also a public debate between the two leaders at the White House, in which differences were clearly visible. But in recent weeks, these relations have improved. Now, communication between the two leaders is considered to be ber and more cooperative than ever before.
Limited Expectations from the Kremlin
Russia has not expressed any particular expectations regarding this round of talks. Kremlin spokespersons have clearly stated that no "major success" is expected from the meeting in Istanbul. They believe that as long as pressure from Western countries persists, Russia will not take steps towards any serious agreement. However, given the American pressure and internal challenges, Russia can no longer completely distance itself from the talks.
