Thu Feb 27 12:11:42 UTC 2025: ## Russia Rejects Negotiation on Annexed Ukrainian Territories; US-Russia Talks Begin in Istanbul
**Istanbul, Turkey –** Russia has firmly rejected any negotiations regarding the status of five Ukrainian regions it claims to have annexed, despite not fully controlling four of them. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated on February 27th, 2025, that these territories are “an inseparable part of our country,” deeming the matter “undeniable and non-negotiable.” This declaration follows Russia’s 2014 annexation of Crimea and its September 2022 annexation of Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson regions. While Russia controls most of Donetsk and Luhansk, its control over Zaporizhzhia and Kherson remains partial.
Meanwhile, Russian and US diplomats met in Istanbul for talks aimed at resolving diplomatic disputes and potentially de-escalating the wider conflict in Ukraine. This marks an initial attempt to reset relations between the two countries. While the Kremlin expressed a belief that dialogue with the US can progress with mutual political will, it cautioned against expecting swift resolutions. Potential areas of cooperation discussed include joint Arctic resource development.
Despite the ongoing conflict, former US President Trump suggested that Russia might need to make territorial concessions in future negotiations with Ukraine, but that Ukraine’s NATO aspirations are unlikely. The Kremlin responded to Trump’s remarks by stating that while he’s open to dialogue, complex problems like the Ukraine conflict necessitate patience and a willingness to listen from both sides.
The ongoing situation remains tense, with Russia recently reporting territorial gains in eastern Ukraine and Ukraine claiming to have seized territory within Russia’s Kursk region. The differing claims and the firm Russian stance on the annexed territories highlight the significant challenges facing any potential peace negotiations.
First Piper 