Vladimir Putin will not be part of the Russian delegation heading to Turkey for ceasefire talks with Ukraine, which are set to take place on Thursday. Instead, the group will include presidential aide Vladimir Medinsky, deputy foreign minister Mikhail Galuzin, and deputy defense minister Alexander Fomin.
Just a few days ago, Putin suggested direct negotiations with Ukraine, stating they should happen "without any preconditions." Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy responded by inviting Putin to meet him in Istanbul for discussions. However, now it appears that the Russian leader will not attend, which raises questions about the sincerity of the negotiations.
Former U.S. President Donald Trump, who had expressed interest in attending the talks if Putin was present, will also not be in Turkey. Instead, Trump’s senior advisors, Steve Witkoff and Keith Kellogg, are expected to represent the U.S. at the talks.
Zelenskyy is currently en route to Ankara and has made it clear that he will only participate in the talks if Putin is there. In a recent video address, he expressed uncertainty about the situation, saying he needs to see who arrives from Russia before deciding Ukraine’s next steps. He emphasized that the ongoing attacks on Ukraine make it clear that the main barrier to peace is Russia’s unwillingness to engage genuinely.
The Russian delegation, notably lacking senior figures like Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, appears to be a less experienced group. Some analysts believe this choice may be an attempt to undermine Zelenskyy, who has been vocal about his desire to meet with Putin. By sending a junior team, the Kremlin may be signaling a lack of seriousness regarding the negotiations.
While Putin’s absence is notable, there are whispers that he might still show up later, possibly extending the talks into a second day. This unpredictability is characteristic of Putin, who often likes to keep everyone guessing and maintain control over the agenda.
As the situation unfolds, the international community remains watchful. The recent proposal for a ceasefire came after several countries threatened Russia with new sanctions if it did not engage in peace talks. The stakes are high, and the world is keenly observing how these discussions will play out in Istanbul.