Turkey Facilitates First Direct Russia-Ukraine Talks in Three Years

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.

The Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) has announced its decision to disband and formally end its armed conflict against the Turkish state, marking a significant shift in its 40-year history. The announcement was made following the conclusion of the PKK's 12th Congress held last week in northern Iraq, where the group has been based, according to Firat news agency. In a closing declaration, the PKK stated, "The PKK 12th Congress decided to dissolve the PKK's organizational structure and end the armed struggle." This move comes after a February appeal from Abdullah Ocalan, the group's founder, who has been imprisoned since 1999. Turkish officials have called the disbandment "historic" and "important," suggesting that it could pave the way for peace and stability in the region. The PKK has been involved in a long-standing insurgency that has resulted in significant casualties and unrest in Turkey and surrounding areas. The disbandment is seen as a potential turning point in Kurdish-Turkish relations.