Bangladesh, May 15 -- In a dramatic and uncertain turn in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, the first direct negotiations between Kiev and Moscow since 2022 are set to take place in Istanbul. The long-anticipated meeting comes amid fresh diplomatic posturing, a shifting tone from the United States, and growing speculation about the sincerity of both parties in pursuing peace.

On May 15, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, speaking at a NATO foreign ministers gathering in Antalya, Türkiye, outlined the United States position: open to any framework that leads to peace, but insistent on diplomacy over warfare. “We are open to being constructive and helpful in any way we can to end the conflict,” Rubio said. “There i...