As Ukraine's President Zelensky prepares to meet Turkish President Erdogan, Russia sends a lower-level aide to the negotiations amid ongoing hostilities in Ukraine.**
High-Stakes Peace Talks in Turkey: Putin Absent from Delegation**
High-Stakes Peace Talks in Turkey: Putin Absent from Delegation**
Russian President Vladimir Putin will not attend the upcoming peace talks in Istanbul, despite Ukraine's calls for his presence.**
In a significant development regarding the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin has not been included in the Kremlin's list of officials set to participate in the peace talks scheduled in Istanbul. This decision comes despite repeated requests from Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky for a direct meeting with Putin to address the lasting war tension between the two neighboring countries.
According to an official statement from the Kremlin, the Russian delegation to the peace talks will be led by presidential aide Vladimir Medinsky. This choice signals a potential limitation on the talks, as it means Putin, who has not met Zelensky since December 2019, will not engage in the face-to-face discussions.
Earlier, Zelensky indicated his willingness to meet Putin personally if the Russian president agreed to attend the talks in Turkey. He expressed determination to facilitate a direct dialogue, emphasizing the urgent need to halt the ongoing violence. “There is no point in prolonging the killings. And I will be waiting for Putin in Türkiye on Thursday. Personally,” Zelensky tweeted, reiterating his call for peace.
Though the atmosphere surrounding the talks seems tense, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will meet with Zelensky on Thursday in Ankara prior to the planned discussions. This diplomatic engagement aims to solidify Turkey's role as a mediator in the crisis.
Special mention must be made of recent comments from former U.S. President Donald Trump, who suggested he might also attend the discussions if Putin decides to come. Trump expressed a desire to broker a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine and noted that he believed both sides were nearing an agreement.
As the humanitarian crisis worsens and fighting continues across Ukraine, the stakes for these peace negotiations have never been higher. With U.S. support solidified by the arrival of high-level diplomats to coordinate efforts with NATO allies, all eyes will be on the outcome of the talks in Istanbul.
While the prospect of dialogue offers hope, the absence of Putin raises questions about the negotiations' potential effectiveness and the future of peace in the region.
