From: Jason Jay Smart
Turkey’s Erdogan demands Putin-Zelensky peace talks THIS WEEK in Istanbul. NATO just locked in historic 5% defense spending while rushing Patriot missiles to Ukraine. But Russia doubles down – demanding Ukraine surrender 5 regions and abandon NATO before any negotiations.
On the battlefield: Russian forces push into Sumy Oblast as Zelensky orders intensified Crimea strikes. Inside Russia, war support collapses – 64% now want negotiations vs only 28% supporting continued conflict.
Is this Istanbul’s moment for breakthrough diplomacy – or final escalation – or more of the same? Jason Jay Smart, PhD also known as Jason Smart and Jason J Smart, breaks down what we can expect next. Dr. Smart is a political adviser who has lived and worked in Ukraine, Moldova, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Russia, and Latin America. In 2010, he was banned for life by the Kremlin for supporting Russia’s democratic opposition to Vladimir Putin.
Voice of Ukraine 