Kremlin Announces Delegation for Ukraine Peace Talks, Excluding Putin

While Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed hopes for a personal meeting with Putin at the peace talks in Istanbul, the Kremlin confirmed that Putin will not attend. The Russian delegation will be led by presidential aide Vladimir Medinsky, raising questions about the future of negotiations amidst ongoing conflict.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has been notably absent from the list of officials attending the anticipated peace talks on the war in Ukraine set to take place in Istanbul on Thursday. This decision comes despite Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s repeated calls for a face-to-face meeting with the Russian leader. Instead, the Russian delegation will be led by Kremlin aide Vladimir Medinsky, as reported in an official statement.

Zelensky has indicated his readiness to engage in direct dialogue, asserting that he would travel to Turkey for the talks if Putin confirmed his attendance. He emphasized the urgency to bring an end to the prolonged conflict, underlining his commitment to the peace process. This will mark the first time the two leaders have had the opportunity to meet in person since December 2019, as the last direct negotiations between Russia and Ukraine took place in March 2022 in Istanbul soon after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine commenced.

Fighting in Ukraine has persisted for over a year, with Russian troops gradually gaining control of more territory, primarily in the eastern regions. Following a call for a 30-day ceasefire by Western powers, this meeting was proposed by Putin, who initially advocated for direct discussions in Turkey without preconditions.

Zelensky reaffirmed his intention to attend the talks through social media, stating, “There is no point in prolonging the killings. And I will be waiting for Putin inTürkiye on Thursday. Personally.”

Former U.S. President Donald Trump also expressed his willingness to join the meeting, if Putin attends. He remarked that while he wasn't certain if Putin would show up without him, he believed that his presence could facilitate a resolution to the ongoing war.

The U.S. government plans to send a high-level delegation to the discussions, with top diplomat Marco Rubio already in Turkey for meetings with NATO foreign ministers. Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha confirmed a meeting with Rubio, stressing Ukraine's dedication to U.S. peace efforts and calling upon Russia to reciprocate Ukraine's constructive steps. Rubio is expected to travel to Istanbul on Friday for further conversations with European representatives regarding the ongoing conflict.

As anticipation builds for the peace talks, the absence of Putin raises concerns regarding the negotiations and the future path toward peace in Ukraine.