Turkey’s high-stakes peace talks for Ukraine face an uphill battle as Russian officials send mixed signals while President Trump prepares secondary sanctions if negotiations fail.
At a Glance
- Peace negotiations in Turkey faced confusion as Ukrainian and Russian delegations arrived in different Turkish cities
- President Putin did not attend, sending only mid-level officials while Zelenskyy met with Turkey’s President
- Trump has threatened additional sanctions against Russia if peace talks fail
- Most Americans (86%) continue to blame Putin for the conflict rather than Zelenskyy
- If cease-fire talks fail, Trump’s strategy involves both increased military aid to Ukraine and tougher sanctions against Russia
Turkey’s Challenging Role as Peace Broker
The much-anticipated Ukraine peace talks in Turkey began with immediate complications as Ukrainian and Russian delegations arrived in separate cities. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy traveled to Ankara to meet with the Turkish President, while Russian representatives, notably lacking President Vladimir Putin, gathered in Istanbul. This physical separation highlights the substantial divide that continues to exist between the warring nations and raises questions about Russia’s genuine commitment to the negotiations.
Zelenskyy openly expressed skepticism about Moscow’s intentions, describing the Russian delegation’s approach as “more theatrical than substantive.” This assessment reflects the persistent challenge of determining whether Putin truly seeks a resolution or is merely creating the appearance of diplomatic engagement while pursuing military objectives in Ukraine.
The talks represent a critical test of President Trump’s diplomatic approach to ending the conflict. Trump has maintained optimism despite the obvious challenges, telling reporters, “We have people right now negotiating” and hinting at “pretty good news” emerging from the process. His administration has positioned the negotiations as potentially transformative while acknowledging the significant obstacles ahead.
I thank my colleagues from France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain, the UK, and the EU for their strong joint statement in London.
I appreciate their support for an unconditional 30-day ceasefire, as well as for US-led peace efforts and the prospect of further talks this week.
It…
— Andrii Sybiha 🇺🇦 (@andrii_sybiha) May 13, 2025
American Public Opinion on Ukraine Support
As the negotiations unfold, domestic support for Ukraine remains substantial among Americans, though slightly diminished from previous levels. According to recent polling, 55% of Americans continue to support economic assistance to Ukraine, while 52% favor sending arms to Kyiv. This backing persists despite some partisan shifts, with Republican support declining while Democratic support has strengthened.
Public sentiment firmly places blame for the conflict on Putin rather than Zelenskyy, with 86% of Americans holding the Russian leader responsible compared to just 33% who blame the Ukrainian President. This perception aligns with the Trump administration’s current public stance recognizing Putin as the primary obstacle to peace. Most Americans (69%) believe negotiations should include all key stakeholders: the US, Russia, Ukraine, and the European Union.
Ending the Ukraine Conflict
– by Amb. H.K. Singh, Director GeneralRead: https://t.co/dcL9egxOep
Recent weeks have witnessed fast-paced developments related to the conflict in #Ukraine, as US President Donald Trump has moved forward with proactive steps to explore the prospects… pic.twitter.com/V96RBqvMbW
— Delhi Policy Group (@DPG_ORG) March 7, 2025
Trump’s Dual-Track Strategy
President Trump has signaled a willingness to take decisive action if Russia proves unwilling to engage in serious cease-fire negotiations. His administration has prepared a two-pronged approach: strengthening Ukraine’s position through increased military aid while simultaneously threatening Moscow with secondary sanctions that could further damage Russia’s already vulnerable economy.
This strategy acknowledges Moscow’s history of breaking previous cease-fire agreements and sees raising Russia’s costs – both economically and on the battlefield – as essential to achieving a sustainable peace. The Institute for the Study of War has documented “significant” Russian troop losses, though Russia maintains the capability to replace them. Ukraine’s ability to increase these costs is viewed as crucial to halting recent Russian advances.
The Path Forward
The consensus among security experts is that immediate priorities should include establishing a ceasefire and facilitating prisoner exchanges. However, more contentious issues loom, including Ukraine’s potential NATO membership, which 60% of Americans support, and the conditions under which sanctions against Russia might be lifted. These elements present significant challenges for negotiators.
Trump has indicated he may personally travel to Turkey if the talks show promise, telling reporters he would consider the trip “if something happened” that warranted his presence. This potential involvement underscores the administration’s high-level commitment to finding a resolution while maintaining pressure on Moscow through the threat of expanded sanctions and continued military support for Ukraine.
While the outcome remains uncertain, the Turkey talks represent a crucial juncture in determining whether diplomatic engagement can succeed or if intensified economic and military pressure will become necessary to change Putin’s calculus and end a conflict that continues to destabilize Eastern Europe and strain international relations.
