Moscow-Kiev negotiations: Marco Rubio calls for 'an end to the massacre' in Ukraine

Delegations from Russia and Ukraine met in Istanbul on Friday for their first direct talks since 2022. However, significant differences and the absence of Vladimir Putin dampened hopes for a swift resolution to the conflict.

Another meeting has taken place earlier between the delegations of the United States, Ukraine and Turkey.

During the talks, Secretary of State Marco Rubio called for an end to "the massacre" in Ukraine.

Also during the meeting, participants discussed “the importance of seeking a peaceful end to the war between Russia and Ukraine.” Senator Rubio “reiterated the U.S. position that it is essential to stop the massacre,” according to a State Department spokeswoman.

For his part, U.S. President Donald Trump said Friday from Abu Dhabi that he would meet with his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, “as soon as it is possible to arrange a meeting,” but added that he would return to Washington immediately.

Kremlin silence deafens

Although the Russian president on Saturday proposed direct talks with Ukraine to try to end more than three years of war, after days of silence from the Kremlin, it decided not to attend the negotiations in Turkey scheduled for Thursday.

The Kremlin leader sent his presidential adviser Vladimir Medinsky, known for his nationalist reading of Russian history, who has already participated in the unsuccessful March 2022 negotiations.

Previously, Medinski stated that they are ready for "possible compromises" and assured that he had "all prerogatives" to make decisions during the negotiations, something that the Ukrainian president, Volodimyr Zelensky, has questioned.

In Putin's absence, President Zelensky decided on Thursday not to participate in the negotiations on Friday and sent a delegation representing Ukraine.

On the Ukrainian side are the foreign minister, Andrii Sibiga, the head of the presidential administration, Andrii Yermak, and the defense minister, Rustem Umerov.

Marco Rubio has ruled out "huge progress" in negotiations between Kiev and Moscow

Secretary of State Marco Rubio will also not be present at the second meeting between Russia, Ukraine and Turkey. The secretary of state said Thursday to rule out "huge progress." "I'm going to be frank, we don't have great expectations about what will happen tomorrow," he said from Ankara.

On the U.S. side in Istanbul are also the U.S. ambassador to Turkey, Tom Barrack, and the U.S. special representative for Ukraine, Keith Kellogg.

Zelensky: "I think the U.S. and Turkey feel Russia's contempt"

The meeting was initially scheduled for Thursday but, after a confusing day, it was postponed to Friday.

On Thursday Zelensky accused Russia of not "taking seriously" these meetings by sending a second-tier delegation.

To Zelensky's comments, Kremlin envoy Vladimir Mediski responded, "Our official delegation has been approved by order of the president and has all the competencies and powers necessary to negotiate. The delegation is ready to work in a constructive manner and to seek possible solutions and points of contact."

Also, on Thursday during a press conference, the Ukrainian president said, "I believe that the United States and Turkey feel Russia's contempt."

"No meeting schedule, no agenda, no high-level delegation, that's a personal disrespect to Erdogan and Trump," Zelensky asserted. He added: "Trump sent a big team of people."