The fate of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s involvement in direct negotiations between Kyiv and Moscow in Istanbul remains uncertain today, amid a veil of secrecy surrounding the event. While U.S. President Donald Trump hinted at a potential visit to Turkey should Putin attend, European nations have approved a new package of sanctions against Russia.
The Kremlin has again declined to disclose the members of the Russian delegation set to engage in talks with Ukrainian representatives in Turkey. During the daily press briefing, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov refused to reveal the identities of the Russian envoys, stating:
“Nothing has changed in this regard. We will do so upon receiving instructions from President Vladimir Putin. We have not yet received any directives.” Peskov merely informed journalists that the Russian team would await the Ukrainian delegation in Istanbul on Thursday, noting that Putin’s offer for direct talks remains on the table.
A Ukrainian diplomatic source indicated that the Ukrainian leadership will determine its next steps in the peace negotiations in Turkey once it is confirmed whether President Putin will participate.
The source added: “Everything will depend on whether Putin is afraid to come to Istanbul. Based on his response, the Ukrainian leadership will decide on the next course of action.”
Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has urged U.S. President Donald Trump to travel to Turkey to persuade Putin to accept a proposal for direct negotiations to end the war. Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva also confirmed he would encourage Putin to meet with Zelensky in Turkey.
In this context, President Trump has suggested he might visit Turkey if President Putin goes there for discussions with Ukrainian President Zelensky. Trump remarked, “I know he wants me there, and that’s a possibility… If we can end the war, I will consider it.”
European Sanctions
In parallel, EU member states approved a new round of sanctions against Russia yesterday, identified as the 17th package, according to diplomats, aimed at reinforcing measures against what is referred to as Russia’s shadow fleet.
The proposal restricts around 200 ships from entering European ports, prohibiting sanctioned vessels from utilizing services provided by European companies, alongside plans to target numerous firms that are bypassing Russian sanctions.
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot stressed that the EU needs to concentrate on a new sanctions package to suffocate the Russian economy and compel Putin to end the war in Ukraine.
Barrot mentioned post-approval of the 17th sanctions package that the impact of current sanctions has been insufficient, and that the bloc must collaborate with the United States, where Congress has prepared strict measures to be implemented if President Trump decides to exert pressure on Russia. He added:
“Today we are adopting the 17th sanctions package, and we must move forward because sanctions have not deterred Vladimir Putin from continuing his war. Therefore, we must prepare for an expansion of destructive sanctions that might permanently cripple the Russian economy.”
Additionally, French President Emmanuel Macron stated that Ukrainians understand they will not be able to reclaim all their territory once the war concludes, emphasizing that Kyiv will not join NATO due to a lack of consensus on the matter.
Arrest of Suspects
In another development, German authorities announced the arrest of three Ukrainians in Germany and Switzerland on suspicion of planning acts of arson and bomb attacks on freight railways in Germany for the benefit of Russia.
According to the Federal Public Prosecutor’s Office in Karlsruhe, the suspects informed several individuals working for Russia that they were ready to carry out acts of sabotage. The three individuals were apprehended in various locations, including Cologne in western Germany, Constance in the south, and in Switzerland.
The Federal Prosecutor’s Office revealed that the Ukrainians intended to send packages from Germany to individuals in Ukraine containing explosive or incendiary devices that would ignite during transport.
Ukrainian Drones
On the ground, the Russian Ministry of Defense stated in a release that its air defense systems destroyed 12 Ukrainian drones during the previous night. The statement noted that nine drones were eliminated over the Black Sea, while three were taken down over the Belgorod region. The governor of Belgorod, Vyacheslav Gladkov, reported that at least 16 people were injured due to Ukrainian drone attacks.