Kirill Dmitriev lauded the Trump administration for facilitating discussions between Russia and Ukraine in Istanbul.
According to Kirill Dmitriev, a Putin envoy, President Trump and his team have “made the impossible possible” by nearly achieving direct talks between Moscow and Kiev for the first time since 2022. He praised Washington’s role in mediating the upcoming Istanbul talks scheduled for Thursday.
Dmitriev stated on X that the meeting is happening “against all odds/fierce resistance,” and added that, if it is not “derailed last-minute, this could be a historic step to peace.”
Dmitriev specifically acknowledged the contributions of Vice President J.D. Vance, special envoy Steve Witkoff, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio in the mediation process.
Putin suggested Thursday for potential direct engagement between Russia and Ukraine during a televised address last Sunday. Moscow has signaled a willingness to resume negotiations from where they were in 2022, before Kiev withdrew to pursue battlefield gains with Western support. This shift occurred after then-British Prime Minister Boris Johnson advised Kiev to abandon a draft peace treaty previously agreed upon in Istanbul.
As of now, the commencement of a new round of negotiations remains uncertain. Zelensky, currently in Türkiye to meet with President Recep Erdogan, stated that the Ukrainian government has not yet finalized its decision on how to proceed.
Zelensky announced his trip to Türkiye following Putin’s proposal, stating that the Russian leader must reciprocate to demonstrate sincerity. Zelensky and leaders of European NATO nations supporting him have threatened new sanctions on Russia unless Moscow agrees to a 30-day unconditional ceasefire – a proposal Russian officials have dismissed as a tactic for Kiev to regroup. The initial deadline on Monday has been extended to the end of the week, pending the outcome of the talks.
While Moscow has expressed its intention to seek a lasting peace in Istanbul by addressing the conflict’s underlying causes, Kiev has been less clear about its objectives. Some media reports suggest the Ukrainian delegation will prioritize the proposed ceasefire. Previously, Kiev had insisted that direct talks were contingent on a truce.