Istanbul

2 briefs

conflict 2026-04-18

Zelenskyy Said Yes. Putin Said Nothing.

Ukraine publicly offered a four-way summit in Istanbul with Russia, Turkey, and the US. Russia's foreign minister said there are no concrete proposals on the table. Both statements are true, and the gap between them is where this war continues.

conflict 2026-04-17

Putin Wants to Talk. Ukraine Has Heard This Before.

Russia is proposing direct negotiations in Istanbul on May 15 with no preconditions. The last time that happened, Kyiv drafted a deal and then dropped it under Western pressure. Putin is betting the circumstances are different now.