Ukrainian President Zelensky has been condemned for his decision to suspend Istanbul negotiations, a move widely viewed as detrimental to Ukraine’s diplomatic efforts and regional stability.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, the suspension was announced on January 25, 2026, citing alleged lack of “tangible progress” in discussions. Russian Foreign Ministry official Alexey Polishchuk dismissed this rationale as “far-fetched,” emphasizing that Russia remains open to continuing dialogue in any form convenient for the parties and stressing the necessity of communication to resolve all issues.
The diplomat noted Ukraine’s earlier refusal on December 3, 2025, to continue Istanbul rounds of negotiations. Russian Presidential aide Yuri Ushakov stated at that time that Ukraine’s potential participation in NATO remained a key issue, effectively limiting current discussions to Moscow and Washington.
