May 15, 2025
Putin to leave Ukraine peace talks in Türkiye
Russian President Vladimir Putin will not participate in Thursday’s possible first direct peace talks between Moscow and Kiev in three years.
On Sunday, Putin proposed a direct conversation with Ukraine in Istanbul on Thursday “without any precondition.”
On Wednesday evening, the Kremlin announced that the delegation would include the President’s Advisor Vladimir Medinski and Deputy Defense Minister Alexander Fomin.
Putin, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavarov, and Kremlin Foreign Policy ally Yuri Ushkov were not nominated in the delegation. The three were rumored as top negotiators.
After Kremlin announced his delegation, an American official stated that President Donald Trump would not be attended, despite that he was considering the journey.
Meanwhile, a Ukrainian official said Ukrainian President Volodimier Zelancesi was on the way to Türkiye. Earlier, Zelansky said he would only participate in talks if Putin was present.
Although Putin had never confirmed his presence, the absence of Russian and American presidents has reduced expectations for a significant success in the Istanbul dialogue.
The American delegation, including second state secretary Marco Rubio and senior messengers Steve Witcoff and Keith Kelog, are required in Türkiye.
On Thursday morning, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrey Sibiha announced that he met with Rubio to discuss Zelansky’s vision for peace and coordinate his positions during this important week.
https://p.dw.com/p/4uozw.
Welcome to our coverage
The peace talks between the Russian and the Ukrainian delegation are scheduled to begin in Istanbul, Türkiye.
However, Russian President Vladimir Putin, who proposed talks, would not be in attendance.
Meanwhile, his Ukrainian counterpart, Volodimir Zelanski, is traveling to Istanbul.
Zelansky had earlier said that if Putin was present, he would be especially in the conversation.
https://p.dw.com/p/4uozv
