Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sibiga accused Russia on Saturday, May 17, 2025, of using the previous day's negotiations in Istanbul to simulate a peace process. Russia's alleged goal was to buy time and postpone the approval of new international sanctions by the West.
Sibiga stated that President Putin used the meeting for internal propaganda and to appear constructive while refusing to end the war. The meeting in Istanbul highlighted deep differences, with the only concrete announcement being a prisoner exchange.
Despite Ukraine's priority being a ceasefire, Russian bombings continued within Ukraine. The Kremlin announced that a meeting between Putin and Zelensky is possible only if both sides reach an agreement beforehand.