Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu Jailed Amid Nationwide Protests

In a significant diplomatic effort, Turkish officials hosted the first direct talks between Ukrainian and Russian delegations in Istanbul on May 16, 2025, since the onset of the war. Turkey's Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan emphasized the urgency of achieving a ceasefire “as soon as possible.” Notably, Russian President Vladimir Putin did not attend the meeting, delegating aide Vladimir Medinsky to represent Moscow instead. U.S. President Donald Trump defended Putin's absence, stating, “Why would he go if I’m not?” Trump further claimed that a meeting between himself and Putin is essential for any peaceful resolution. Ukrainian officials reiterated their demand for an unconditional ceasefire, while NATO Chief Mark Rutte criticized Russia’s choice to send a lower-level delegation, labeling it a “big mistake.” EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced forthcoming sanctions against Moscow, reflecting the heightened tensions and differing perspectives of Western leaders on the ongoing conflict.

Russia and Ukraine are set to hold their first direct peace talks in three years on Friday, brokered by Turkey in Istanbul, amid expectations of limited progress, according to officials. A Ukrainian delegation led by Defense Minister Rustem Umerov is scheduled to meet with a lower-level Russian team headed by presidential aide Vladimir Medinsky. The talks come after Russian President Vladimir Putin declined a face-to-face meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who criticized Russia's negotiating team as insufficient for serious discussions. Despite Zelenskyy's offer for a U.S. and European-backed 30-day ceasefire, Russian officials have imposed strict conditions that effectively reject the proposal. U.S. President Donald Trump expressed the necessity of a meeting with Putin to help resolve the deadlock. In preparation for the talks, Ukrainian officials coordinated with national security advisers from the U.S., France, Germany, and the UK. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio indicated low expectations for significant outcomes, suggesting that a breakthrough might only arise from discussions between Trump and Putin.

In a significant development, the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) has announced plans to disband and cease armed operations, signaling a potential end to its prolonged conflict with Turkey. The announcement was made via the Firat News Agency on May 12, 2025, during a peace initiative with the Turkish government. This resolution follows a party congress held in northern Iraq, where PKK leaders convened to chart the organization’s future. The congress, which took place shortly before the announcement, resulted in what the group described as a "historic" decision. A statement from imprisoned PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan was presented during the meeting, reflecting his advocacy for disarmament and dissolution of the group, aiming to conclude a conflict that has reportedly resulted in tens of thousands of fatalities since the 1980s. The PKK, which is regarded as a terrorist organization by Turkey and several Western nations, previously announced a ceasefire but stipulated that peace talks must establish a legal framework before full disbandment occurs. The organization emphasized that the Kurdish population will welcome the decision to embrace peace.