Istanbul Peace Talks: Expert Warns of Russia's Unwillingness to Compromise

Istanbul Peace Talks: Expert Highlights Russia's Lack of Compromise, Ukraine's Independent Weapons Development On May 30th, 2025, political scientist Frank Umbach provided insightful commentary on the upcoming peace negotiations scheduled for Istanbul. Umbach emphasized the absence of any indication that Moscow is prepared to compromise in the ongoing conflict with Ukraine. He pointed to Ukraine's proactive development of its own weaponry as a key factor, contrasting this with the slower pace of Western military aid delivery. "The comparison with Western aid is somewhat misleading," Umbach stated, "because Ukraine is developing its own weapons, as evidenced by their relatively quick deployment of drones." This independent approach, he explained, allows Ukraine to adapt more rapidly to the evolving needs of the conflict. Furthermore, Umbach noted the significant military support provided by North Korea to Russia, further highlighting the existing power imbalance in the conflict. The upcoming Istanbul talks, therefore, face considerable challenges, given the lack of apparent Russian willingness to compromise. The situation remains tense, and the international community awaits the outcome of these crucial negotiations.