Peace Talks Snub Shows Putin is Taking Trump for a Ride

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Russian President Vladimir Putin failed to show up for talks in Turkey. That truancy led United States President Donald Trump to set up a call with him over the phone on May 19. However, there is a serious question whether communication at such a distance can produce a concrete ceasefire from Russia ー and a chance for peace in Ukraine.

Direct talks between Kyiv and Moscow concerning Russia's inva s ion of Ukraine were just held for the first time in about three years. During the May 16 meetings in Istanbul, Turkey, the two parties agreed to each return 1,000 POWs to the other side and to continue negotiations.

However, Russia would not accept the "30-day unconditional ceasefire" proposal that the Ukrainian side had strongly asked for. It would thus appear that there has been no real progress toward peace.

Russia reportedly has demanded an unrealistic precondition for a ceasefire. Namely, that Ukrainian troops withdraw from four regions in eastern and southern Ukraine that Moscow claims to have already annexed. That is more evidence of Moscow's ambition to seize additional territory from Ukraine, and it is unacceptable.

Overcoming the 'Political Theater'

No more conditions. Putin himself must participate in face-to-face negotiations and agree to a ceasefire.

There have been strong suggestions that Russia's new willingness to directly negotiate with Ukraine was nothing more than political theater. According to these claims, Putin orchestrated it to avoid additional sanctions. Moreover, he wanted to deflect the United States President's pressure on him to negotiate peace.

However, it seems that a fair peace deal was never on the table. Instead, the Istanbul talks were a mere farce aimed at stalling so Russia could continue to pursue its invasion.

It's Putin's War

Direct negotiations were initiated as a unilateral counter-proposal by Vladimir Putin. At the same time, Putin ignored the 30-day ceasefire demand by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and the leaders of the United Kingdom, France, and Germany.

*The Ukrainian delegation (left) and Russian delegation (right) held direct negotiations in Istanbul, Turkey on May 16. (©Getty Images via Kyodo)*

Zelenskyy quickly responded that he would be waiting for Putin in Turkey. However, Putin did not show up and instead only sent his aide, Vladimir Medinsky, and other low-ranking officials. Ukraine sent a delegation to the negotiations led by Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, who outranked all the Russian negotiators.

Zelenskyy naturally criticized his Russian counterpart's absence, saying: "Putin is the person who makes all the decisions in Russia. This is his war, so he must join the negotiations."

Adding Sanctions Pressure

Regarding the April 30 ceasefire ultimatum, Zelenskyy said, "If it is not met, we will impose additional sanctions on Russia."

President Trump agreed to that move.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the EU was considering new sanctions against Russia. "Putin does not want peace," she declared. In that case, sanctions would be an appropriate step to take.

"I don't believe anything's going to happen until he (Putin) and I get together,” Trump said in the United Arab Emirates. That was during his recent Middle East visit. His comment led to speculation that a US-Russia summit might take place in Turkey. In the end, however, a Trump-Putin meeting did not materialize.

President Trump should reassess how Putin has been taking advantage of his relationship with the US President. Instead, America should increase pressure on the Russian strongman.

Author: Editorial Board, The Sankei Shimbun

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