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The Big Story

Ukraine’s allies prepare to call Putin’s bluff on peace talks in Turkey

Ukraine’s supporters in Europe and Washington expect a summit Thursday in Turkey, proposed by Russian President Vladimir Putin, to fall apart and convince President Trump that Moscow is an untrustworthy partner.

Putin on Sunday proposed direct negotiations with Ukraine in Istanbul. Late Wednesday, the Kremlin announced its delegation for Turkey, but it did not appear to include any of the high-level Russian officials who had previously met with U.S. negotiators. The list also did not include Putin himself.

Trump earlier this week pressed Ukraine to attend the talks, which Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he would do only if Putin was “not afraid” and showed up, setting up a potential diplomatic standoff.

While Trump wants the two sides to sign up to an immediate 30-day ceasefire, a proposal Zelensky backs, Putin said he wants talks to start first before any details of a ceasefire are discussed.

On Wednesday, Trump, who is visiting the Middle East this week, floated traveling to Turkey himself.

“[Putin would] like me to be there, and that’s a possibility. … I don’t know that he would be there if I’m not there. We’re going to find out,” Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One while flying to Qatar.

The Russian delegation that was announced Wednesday appeared to be a low-level diplomatic team that included deputy ministers in the Foreign Affairs and Defense departments, in addition to an aide to Putin. A separate Russian team of technical experts is also being dispatched to Istanbul, Russian state media reported Wednesday.

The European Union is readying a sanctions package — its 17th — that is expected to be imposed if the Kremlin fails to impose a ceasefire or engage in talks.

“European allies of the United States are uniformly very skeptical that Putin is at all interested in the ceasefire,” said Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.), adding that he himself does not know if the talks will happen.

The Europeans “do want to be included in any deal if they’re going to be expected to provide security in a post-ceasefire moment. That’s a fair expectation. But the people who are closest to the situation on the ground — and I visited Finland, Germany, Poland, Ukraine in the last two months — are highly skeptical about any progress.”

Trump, who has grown increasingly frustrated with both Kyiv and Moscow as he seeks to broker a peace deal, has suggested the U.S. could impose sanctions on Russia but has not indicated on which sectors.

Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) has teamed up with Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) on sanctions legislation that has 70 co-sponsors, ensuring it could override a filibuster and also override a potential presidential veto.

Read the full report at TheHill.com.

Welcome to The Hill’s Defense & National Security newsletter, I’m Ellen Mitchell — your guide to the latest developments at the Pentagon, on Capitol Hill and beyond.

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A group of senior Democratic senators want the Pentagon’s watchdog to look into President Trump’s potential acceptance of a $400 million luxury Boeing jet gifted by Qatar, and the Defense Department’s role in the transfer. The group of nine lawmakers, led by Sen. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), asked the inspector general of the Defense Department (DOD) to launch an inquiry into the department’s role in “facilitating and serving …

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On Our Radar

Upcoming things we’re watching on our beat:

President Trump is in Qatar as part of his visit to the Middle East, with one more stop planned for the United Arab Emirates.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte will give remarks before an informal two-day meeting of NATO foreign ministers in Antalya, Turkey tomorrow. Rutte will also give a press conference at the end of the meeting.
Russia has announced a delegation for tentative talks with Ukraine to end Moscow’s war in the country, set for tomorrow in Istanbul, Turkey.

In Other News

Branch out with a different read from The Hill:

USAID contractor sought attorney to investigate dismantled agency’s former employees

A government contractor sought to hire a lawyer to work at the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) to conduct investigations into the dismantled agency’s former staff, including for “unauthorized communications with the media.” The job posting from Highlight Technologies — deleted Tuesday …

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On Tap Tomorrow

Events in and around the defense world:

The Potomac Officers Club will hold a Cyber Summit, with Bridget Bean, executive director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, and Acting Assistant Secretary of Defense for Cyber Policy Ashley Manning, at 8 a.m.
Rep. Jim Himes (D-Conn.), and Rep. Michael Lawler (R-N.Y.) will speak at the Politico Security Summit at 8 a.m.
Outside experts will testify before the Senate Armed Services Committee on Defense Department responsibilities related to foreign military sales, at 9:30 a.m.
Department of Veteran Affairs Secretary Doug Collins will testify on the VA’s fiscal 2026 budget request before a House Appropriations subcommittee at 10 a.m.
The Senate Foreign Relations Committee will hold a hearing to consider the nominations of Joel Rayburn to be assistant secretary of State for near Eastern affairs, and Chris Pratt to be assistant secretary of State for political-military affairs, at 10:30 a.m.
Pentagon officials will testify on the current national defense intelligence posture before a House Armed Services subpanel at 3 p.m.

What We’re Reading

News we’ve flagged from other outlets:

Hotline between military and air traffic controllers in Washington hasn’t worked for over 3 years (The Associated Press)
VA errors in benefits payouts down, but still total more than $1.3B (Military Times)
Dozens of Air Force families disenrolled from day care at New Mexico base as staffing woes grow (Military.com)

Trending Today

Two key stories on The Hill right now:

Republicans advance bill with steep cuts to Medicaid as part of Trump agenda

Republicans on the House Energy and Commerce Committee advanced legislation Wednesday afternoon containing cuts to Medicaid and health care provisions … Read more

Noem says conditions could back suspension of habeas corpus

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem on Wednesday lent some support to calls to suspend habeas corpus as part of the administration’s immigration … Read more

Opinions in The Hill

Op-eds related to defense & national security submitted to The Hill:

You’re all caught up. See you tomorrow!

Defense &National Security

Defense &National Security

Ukraine’s allies prepare to call Putin’s bluff on peace talks in Turkey

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