Why Istanbul? Podolyak explains Putin’s motives for Türkiye talks

The Russian president sought to seize the initiative in negotiations with Ukraine amid a tougher stance from the United States, which now views Russia and its unwillingness to end the war differently.

Mykhailo Podolyak, Advisor to the Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, said this on May 14, 2025, during a broadcast on the FREEDOM TV channel.

He reminded that Russia intensified missile and drone attacks on Ukraine’s civilian infrastructure precisely when the U.S. began engaging in talks with Moscow. Instead of demonstrating a willingness to end the war, Russia escalated strikes targeting Ukrainian civilians

The summit of the «coalition of the willing» was held in Kyiv: key agreements

On May 10, EU and UK leaders concluded that Russia must be compelled to end the war. This can be achieved through consolidated sanctions pressure from the EU, U.S., non-EU countries, Canada, Japan, South Korea, and Australia.

«On the other hand, it’s necessary to increase military supplies. The format — whether purchased or provided through various programs — doesn’t matter. This was all declared on May 10. We saw a clear position from European partners, and accordingly, Trump’s alignment with this stance, ” Podolyak said.

Additionally, an unexpected statement from China’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson, supporting an unconditional ceasefire, caught Russia off guard.

«All this forced Russia — Putin’s entity — to return to a game where they stall for time while feigning readiness for negotiations. That’s why Putin made his statement, completely unprepared for Ukraine’s firm response, ” Podolyak explained.

Negotiations in Istanbul: what Putin has in mind

Podolyak also notes that Putin continues to insist that there were initial negotiations in Istanbul in 2022 and that they should be continued from the same level. However, this is absolutely not the case.

«That’s not the case: those talks took place in a different context. Russia had just launched its full-scale invasion, and Ukraine lacked consolidated support. This was March–April 2022. Russian troops were in central Ukraine — Kyiv, Sumy, Kharkiv, and Chernihiv regions. The conditions back then were one thing, but now, after three years of war, everything discussed in Istanbul in 2022 is long dead, ” the advisor emphasized.

Putin fails to grasp this, operating on a different logic, Podolyak added.

«Ukraine is effectively struggling, having driven Russian forces out of numerous regions and destroyed vast amounts of enemy personnel and equipment. Russia hasn’t come close to achieving the goals it set for its invasion and cannot achieve them, ” Podolyak underscored.

Moreover, Ukraine now has extensive, consolidated partner support and has formed relevant coalitions, he noted.

«Thus, these potential talks in Türkiye, as understood by Ukraine, the U.S., and Europe, are entirely different from the aggressor’s perspective. The positions of the parties are completely different. By seemingly agreeing to these talks, Putin absolutely did not anticipate what would follow, ” Podolyak believes.