With a clear message that it is willing to continue the war for as long as it is needed, Russia came to the first direct talks with Ukraine after three years, without any intention of substantial retreat.

In the midst of a deadlock, United States President Donald Trump announced that he will have successive telephone contacts with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodimir Zelenski to stop the “blood bath” on Monday.

Despite calls by the international community, the exhausting conflict that cost countless Russian lives behind closed doors on Friday, during the first direct peace talks with Ukraine after three years, the leader Russian negotiator Vladimir Guardian.

“We don’t want war, but we are ready to fight for one, two, three years, as needed. We have fought with Sweden for 21 years. How long have you been ready to fight? ” Mentinsky allegedly told his Ukrainian interlocutors, many of whom were wearing military uniforms in the Dolmabahce Palace.

Through his “representatives”, Vladimir Putin made it clear on Friday that his basic demands remain unchanged from the beginning of the war: Ukraine must grant territories, even areas that have been under its control at the moment, will not drastically reduce its armed forces.

The long -awaited conversations in Constantinople on Friday lasted less than two hours and resulted in failure. Ukraine’s main demand for a ceasefire was not satisfied. The only tangible result was an agreement to exchange 1,000 prisoners of war.

Russia’s message was clear: retreat now, otherwise we will come back for even more.

Margarita Simonian, head of the state -run RT and a well -known Kremlin propagandist, celebrated the Russian delegation’s attitude, writing that it was sent to Ukraine that if it does not agree now, Moscow will no longer limit its demands.

“Next time there will be eight regions,” he wrote on the X platform.

Putin’s confidence is fueled by Russia’s slow but stable advance in the field, the weak European reaction and an internal economy that has now adapted to a long war.

In a recent article, leading independent Russian economist Vladimir Inozemchev estimated that Russia has no problem continuing to fund war at the current pace for at least 18 months.

“The war with Ukraine is a priority of Putin … Funding for military programs will remain the main goal of the economy for an indefinite period,” he wrote.

Some could argue that the only fact that the talks in Turkey took place is in itself an achievement. The meeting began with a 24 -hour delay, after a day of confusion and political maneuvers. For most of Wednesday, it was doubtful whether the delegations would eventually meet. The Russian mission, which Ukrainian President Volodimir Zelenski described as “decorative”, finally arrived in Constantinople on Thursday morning.

Outside the palace, a large number of journalists were crowded at a side entrance, forcing tourists and passers -by to find alternative routes to move around the crowd.

The Ukrainian president and his team were in Ankara, with Zelenski appearing tired and nervous as he spoke to reporters at the Ukrainian embassy. He stopped before answering questions, trying not to say something that would cause a new explosion of Donald Trump. Under pressure from the US president, Zelenski finally retreated and sent a delegation to Constantinople on Thursday night, led by Defense Minister Rustem Umero.

Volodimir Zelenski has devoted himself to a series of American demands in recent weeks, attempting to prove his sincere intent for peace. “Trump’s position is to put pressure on both sides … step by step, we have shown our readiness, accepting multiple compromises,” the Ukrainian president said. “There must be pressure on the side that does not want to stop the war.”

However, his diplomatic endeavor has so far not attributed. On Thursday, Donald Trump weakened the talks, stating that “nothing is going to happen” unless he had a personal meeting with Vladimir Putin.

Instead of criticizing Russia for sending a low -ranking delegation to Turkey and sabotaging the negotiations, Trump referred to his “good relationship” with Putin in an interview with Fox News late Friday night, insisting that the Russian president was “at the table”.

Ukraine will insist on pushing Trump’s promise to impose sanctions on Russia if there is no agreement. However, analysts warn that sanctions on their own will hardly change the Kremlin’s attitude. What is urgently needed by Kiev is essentially increased military assistance.

While Ukraine left empty -handed talks, the biggest blow was perhaps suffered by the so -called European “alliance of willing”, under the United Kingdom, France, Poland and Germany.

The week began with four European leaders standing by Volodimir Zelenski in Kiev, sending a single message to the Kremlin: Accept the fire immediately or prepare for coordinated pressure from Europe and Donald Trump.

By the end of the week, there was no ceasefire or sanctions. In a typical vague statement on the failure of the talks, the four countries pledged to “align their actions” in the future.

Moscow reacted in the usual way. A few hours after the talks ended, a Russian attack hit a bus in the Ukrainian region of Sumi, killing at least nine people and injuring four others, according to head of local military administration.

The deadly blow preceded another historical referral by Mentinsky. Speaking to a Russian state journalist after talks in Istanbul, Mentinsky said Russia has no intention of stopping the attack on Ukraine:

“As Napoleon said, war and negotiations are always at the same time,” he said.