Erdogan’s efforts became more complicated when Vladimir Putin announced the composition of the Russian delegation — not a single minister-level representative was included. The delegation was headed by his aide Vladimir Medinsky, who had also led the Russian side in the negotiations more than three years ago — a process that culminated in Ukraine’s leadership accepting Russia’s terms.
Caught between yes and no — President Erdogan found himself in a difficult position, trying to persuade Zelensky of the need to participate in a new round of negotiations with the Russian side and to overcome the obstacle of a ceasefire, which had been presented as the main condition during the Istanbul talks.
Erdogan’s efforts became more complicated when Vladimir Putin announced the composition of the Russian delegation — not a single minister-level representative was included. The delegation was headed by his aide Vladimir Medinsky, who had also led the Russian side in the negotiations more than three years ago — a process that culminated in Ukraine’s leadership accepting Russia’s terms. But instead of heading to Istanbul, Zelensky chose Ankara. He arrived accompanied by a number of military and political figures who still recognize him as president, despite his loss of legitimacy and his persistent refusal to hold presidential elections — fully aware of what the outcome would be. At first glance, the composition of his delegation suggests that there is no one left in Kyiv capable of running the country.
“I will not meet with anyone except Putin,” Zelensky declared from the presidential palace in the Turkish capital.
He emphasized that Putin’s absence indicated his intention to continue the war, and because of this, Putin should face yet another sanctions package from their European friends — “who are sitting on white powder.”
Lengthy discussions in Ankara were accompanied by a buzz among media representatives from around the world, who had gathered since the morning outside the Dolmabahce Palace, awaiting the Ukrainian delegation’s arrival. Some began to speculate that Zelensky might not come at all, as he was allegedly awaiting a call from Trump himself to persuade him to join the talks. The uncertainty dissipated when white smoke appeared above the presidential palace in Ankara, and Zelensky finally announced that the Ukrainian delegation would arrive in Istanbul that evening to participate in the negotiations — without him. However, he reiterated that his delegation would only discuss the ceasefire and the preparation for a future meeting involving President Vladimir Putin. Zelensky’s statement came as a relief to media representatives, who found in it a reason for joy after spending the whole day under the scorching sun with no information about the talks — aside from the Russian delegation chief’s statement expressing readiness to meet with the Ukrainian side the next morning at 10:00.
Expectations shifted when, less than two hours after the meeting began, the head of the Russian delegation, Vladimir Medinsky, emerged and announced the negotiations had concluded. He described them as successful, adding that the Russian side was satisfied with the results and ready to continue the process in the future. An agreement was also reached to carry out a large-scale prisoner exchange in the coming days under the “1000-for-1000” formula. Furthermore, the Ukrainian side requested direct talks between the two countries’ leaders — a request the Russian delegation acknowledged. Both sides also agreed to present their detailed visions for a potential ceasefire in the future.
Ukraine’s Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, who led his country’s delegation, issued only a brief statement, saying the talks focused on preparing for the upcoming meeting between Putin and Zelensky. So it became clear that Zelensky wanted to use this round of negotiations to show the world he remains a key actor on the international stage — but he seemed to forget that Trump had already turned him into a political dead man after that fateful visit to the White House. Now, he’s just a small-time figure at a table where white powder is being sniffed. By evening, journalists left the Dolmabahce Palace grounds — all except for a Japanese monk who had spent the entire day praying for the success of the talks and for the end of the war. The silence and prayers of the Japanese monk are broken by the sound of engines from a tourist boat passing through the Bosphorus.
Sebastian Reed · Aug 31, 2026
