Ukrainecast What do we actually know about the Istanbul peace talks?
May 13, 2025
Join BBC's diplomatic correspondent James Landale and Kaja Kallas, Vice President of the European Commission and former Estonian Prime Minister, as they dissect the upcoming peace talks in Istanbul. They discuss the uncertainty surrounding key leaders like Putin and Zelensky, the complexities of ceasefire negotiations, and the influence of misleading narratives about the conflict. The conversation also explores the effectiveness of sanctions against Russia and the evolving nature of modern diplomacy amid global tensions.
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Putin's Strategy for Istanbul Talks
- Vladimir Putin is unlikely to attend the peace talks in Turkey and might send a lower-ranking official.
- Putin aims to revive previous negotiation frameworks that sought Ukraine's surrender and influence U.S. involvement.
Conditions for Diplomatic Progress
- Dialogue between warring parties is positive as it maintains communication channels.
- Significant progress requires both a stalemate on the battlefield and willingness to negotiate diplomatically.
Putin's Games Around Peace Talks
- Putin uses peace talks to blur perceptions rather than truly seek peace.
- Stopping hostilities and showing goodwill like releasing prisoners would demonstrate Russia's sincerity.