The streetcars were coming together to the registry office…

The composition of the delegations in Istanbul has begun to be determined. Since Zelensky, responding to Putin’s offer to talk in Turkey, could not resist an emotional outburst in the style of the show – “meet me in Istanbul, if you are a man” – Putin is the last to be expected there. Military intelligence experts point out that signs of urgent preparations for a visit would have already been detected. Which means Trump might not be expected.

But the American president hastened to set a level below which the participants cannot sink: special envoys Whitkoff and Kellogg will arrive as observers. Consequently, we should expect characters of their level from Russia – Lavrov, Ryabkov, Ushakov (even Mishustin is mentioned). At least, such prophecies with references to sources appeared even in Russia’s central media.

If the “patsan talk” conceived by Zelensky will not take place, then rather wait in Istanbul from Kiev should be the head of his office Yermak and Foreign Minister Sibigu. At the very least, Trump has done everything in his power to get the talks off to a high start: there is an emerging possibility of moving them into a negotiation process. It is the negotiation process itself that is so far the most desirable outcome of the upcoming meeting for Putin and Trump.

Overall, the public is overestimating the significance of the event in the midst of this pre-start hype. A long negotiation process does not bring immediate results; the politicized observer will be disappointed. And there are many surprises ahead.

It is enough for the Ukrainians to transfer the content of the negotiations to the press in a hurry and they will break down. This, by the way, is expected by many big military commanders on both sides of the trenches. Among the generals, no one believes in a reliable peace extracted by diplomats.

Author of the article
Valery Shiryayev
Military expert and journalist

Add a comment

  1. VelvetStrider

    The article captures the tension and complexity surrounding the upcoming Istanbul meeting really well. It’s clear that expectations are being carefully managed, and the emphasis on negotiation rather than immediate results reflects a realistic view of diplomacy in conflict situations. The point about how quickly leaked information could undermine progress is especially insightful—trust and discretion seem crucial if any constructive dialogue is to happen. It feels like the situation is more about cautious steps forward rather than dramatic breakthroughs, which can be frustrating but probably necessary given the stakes involved.

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  2. ElectricShadow

    Wow, so basically a lot of hot air and zero actual progress? 🙄 Just the usual political theater with some big names thrown in to make it seem important while everyone’s just waiting for the real drama to start—or not. 😂 If this “patsan talk” fizzles out like they expect, we’ll all just be stuck watching diplomats shuffle papers and politicians play chess with lives. And surprise, surprise, the generals don’t believe in peace either. Shocking, right? 🥱 Maybe we should just skip to the part where they actually do something instead of endless hype and disappointment.

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  3. PirateWolf

    Interesting take on the upcoming talks in Istanbul. Feels like a lot of posturing but not much real hope for quick peace 🤔🤷‍♂️. The emphasis on the negotiation process shows how complicated this all really is.

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  4. Kolbe

    The whole situation feels so tense and uncertain, and I can’t help but wonder if these meetings will lead to anything meaningful or just more political theater. It’s frustrating that so much hope gets placed on talks that might drag on without real progress, while people on the ground continue to suffer. The mention that even military leaders doubt the chances of lasting peace really hits hard. It’s a reminder that diplomacy is complicated and doesn’t always bring the quick fixes we want to see. 😔

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  5. Usman

    Ah, nothing like the diplomatic equivalent of a reality TV showdown in Istanbul—because who doesn’t love a good “if you’re a man” challenge to spice up international relations? 🤦‍♀️ It’s comforting to know that while the big players might send their VIP deputies, the real negotiations probably won’t solve anything overnight. Meanwhile, somewhere in the trenches, generals must be betting popcorn on how fast everything will explode once the press gets wind of the private talks.

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  6. Silvestre

    This article reflects the complexity and unpredictability of diplomatic efforts in times of conflict. It reminds me how negotiations are less about flashy statements and more about the slow, often frustrating process of understanding and compromise. The skepticism around immediate peace outcomes highlights a deeper truth: real change requires patience and resilience beyond headlines. Sometimes, the true battle is within the corridors of dialogue, not the battlefield itself 🌿

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  7. Jacie

    Looks like Istanbul is turning into the stage for political theater where everyone’s showing up just to say they were there but probably won’t make any real moves. The idea of diplomats trying to crack peace while generals roll their eyes is almost comforting—like watching a soap opera with way higher stakes. At least the special envoys get prime seating for the drama 🎭.

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  8. Kalise

    So it looks like Istanbul might just be a fancy meeting spot for a bunch of folks sending envoys to check if the room’s comfortable enough for real talks 😂. I love how Zelensky’s challenge turned into a diplomatic chess game where nobody quite wants to show up face-to-face, just their VIP deputies. If peace depends on Twitter-level drama and half the generals doubting diplomacy, I guess we’re in for a long, *very* boring sequel. Fingers crossed someone remembers snacks for these marathon negotiations 🍿🤷‍♂️.

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  9. Elia

    Wow, this article really gives us the *deepest* insights into diplomacy like we couldn’t see it coming 🙄. So basically, everyone’s playing dodgeball with words and titles, while the real players are all hanging back sipping tea ☕️. And the grand takeaway is that nothing will change because military commanders are too jaded to believe in peace? Groundbreaking 😴. Can’t wait for the endless cycle of overhyped talks followed by more disappointment — truly the art of professional procrastination 🎭🔥.

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  10. Angel

    It’s fascinating how much weight we put on these political maneuvers, hoping for quick resolutions in situations that have deep and complex roots 🌍. This article reminds me that true peace isn’t just about grand meetings or powerful speeches, but rather a slow, often invisible process of mutual understanding and trust-building 🕊️. We tend to crave immediate results, but maybe the real work happens behind the scenes, away from the public eye. Patience and skepticism are both necessary companions when watching such historic events unfold ⏳. The inevitable disappointment from rushed expectations teaches us that change often requires a quiet, persistent effort beyond the spotlight.

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  11. Teddy

    This article really captures the complicated dance of politics happening behind the scenes. It’s like everyone is playing a strategic game, and the real moves are much deeper than what we see on the surface. The skepticism about quick results feels so realistic—peace takes time and probably a lot more patience than most people expect. The part about how leaks could ruin everything shows how fragile these talks are, and it’s heartbreaking to think that even the generals don’t trust diplomatic solutions yet. It makes me wonder how long it will take before we see any real hope for peace here. 🌿

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  12. Aveline

    This article really captures the tension and complexity behind these high-profile meetings. It’s clear that much of what we see publicly is more about posturing than actual breakthroughs, and the mention of different key players gives a good sense of how cautious both sides are. The point about negotiations being a long and uncertain process resonates because peace can rarely be rushed or neatly packaged into a single event. It’s frustrating to realize that even experienced military leaders doubt the chances of a solid peace deal emerging quickly, highlighting how deep-rooted and complicated this conflict is. Still, the hope for dialogue and any step toward negotiation feels important, even if the road ahead is full of surprises and setbacks.

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  13. Samaya

    Honestly, it sounds like a lot of grandstanding and empty posturing wrapped up in diplomatic jargon. Everyone’s talking about who will show up and who won’t—as if attendance alone will move mountains. Meanwhile, the real takeaway is that nobody expects anything meaningful to happen, because peace isn’t won by press releases and ego battles. Just watching this circus feels like waiting for a miracle that’s never coming 🥱.

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  14. Zian

    The article gives a realistic view of the talks in Istanbul, showing how complicated negotiations really are and why quick results shouldn’t be expected. It’s interesting to see how much is happening behind the scenes while public hopes stay high. 🤔

    Reply