Putin Sends a “Decorative” Delegation to a Meeting in Turkey, Ignoring Peace Talks

Putin has dampened prospects for peace talks by sending advisors instead of visiting Zelensky in person in Turkey.

Hopes for a breakthrough in peace talks have been dashed when Russian President Vladimir Putin turned down an in-person meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Turkey.

Putin, on a Gulf visit, cast doubt on progress by stating that a meeting between himself and Putin was necessary, while Putin sent a delegation of aides and deputy ministers to discussions in Istanbul on Thursday.

Zelensky accused the Russian leader of not being serious about putting an end to the dispute and criticized Putin for sending what he called a “decorative” delegation.

Zelensky responded by saying he would send a delegation headed by his defense minister to talk about a possible ceasefire instead of going to Istanbul. It’s yet unclear when the discussions will take place.

After meeting Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara, Zelensky declared, “We can’t be running around the world looking for Putin.” “No meeting time, no agenda, no high-level delegation – this is personal disrespect,” he said, expressing his irritation at what he saw as Russia’s lack of consideration. To Trump and Erdogan.

While Putin has insisted on initial talks to define the parameters of such a truce, Zelensky is in favor of an immediate, unconditional 30-day ceasefire.

More than three years after its full-scale invasion, Russia maintains its military edge and claims Ukraine might use a ceasefire to strengthen its forces with Western assistance.

Both Trump and Putin have been indicating their desire to meet for months, but they have not yet agreed on a time. Increasingly irritated, Trump said on Air Force One: “Until Putin and I meet, nothing will happen.” European allies are appalled at his erratic behavior, which has further muddled an already tense diplomatic situation.

Trump hinted that he would go to the negotiations if they were judged “appropriate,” as the Russian group waited in Istanbul without their Ukrainian colleagues. The persistent conflict between the opposing parties and Trump’s erratic behavior since taking office were brought to light by the lack of collaboration.

Deep disagreements over important subjects still exist as negotiations carry on. Russia, which currently controls about a fifth of Ukraine, is demanding that Kyiv give up land, give up on NATO, and become neutral—conditions that Ukraine finds intolerable. Zelensky has demonstrated his readiness to engage in negotiations in order to obtain security guarantees from international powers, especially the US, but success is still elusive in the absence of Putin.

“Putin is stalling and clearly has no desire to enter these peace negotiations, even when President Trump expressed his availability and his desire to facilitate these negotiations,” said French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot in response to Putin’s absence.

In a battle with a Russian-bound oil ship suspected of dodging Western sanctions, Estonia accused Russia of violating NATO airspace over the Baltic Sea, further escalating the tense situation.