Putin Reportedly Plans to Skip Istanbul Talks on Thursday

On Wednesday evening, Russian President Vladimir Putin was not listed as an attendee for peace talks he himself had proposed be held with Ukraine in Istanbul, Turkey, scheduled for Thursday.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that his own attendance would depend on Putin showing up.

The Kremlin, late Wednesday, released a list of four negotiators, including a hawkish former culture minister for the Istanbul talks instead.

The announcement came after days of suspense as to whether the Russian leader would be in attendance.

US President Donald Trump had also teased the possibility of attending the upcoming meetings in Turkey in a press conference on Monday before departing on a tour of the Middle East: “I believe the two leaders will be there. I was thinking about flying over. I don’t know where I’m going to be on Thursday.”

It is unclear whether Putin’s lack of attendance will scuttle talks. Earlier this week, advisor to the head of Ukraine’s presidential office, Mykhailo Podolyak stated that Zelensky would not meet with lower officials:

“We understand how Russia’s government works. Even ministers or Prime Minister [Mikhail] Mishustin likely don’t have the power to make decisions. Only Putin can decide whether to continue or end the war.”

The announcement followed developments when Putin unexpectedly called for direct peace talks on Sunday.  

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Polish-Ukrainian Rift Over Historical Disputes Deepens

Zelensky and former Presidents Leonid Kuchma, Viktor Yushchenko, and Petro Poroshenko have formally renounced their Polish Orders of the White Eagle.

Trump pressured Zelensky to attend the talks, to which Zelensky tweeted on Sunday:

“And I will be waiting for Putin in Türkiye on Thursday. Personally. I hope that this time the Russians will not look for excuses.”

Responding on Monday to growing international pressure, the Kremlin said: “This language of ultimatums is unacceptable for Russia. It doesn’t work. You can’t talk to Russia like that.”

This would be the second time that Ukrainian and Russian delegations have met in Turkey for peace talks, the first talks were held weeks after Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022, but failed to produce a lasting peace.

The suspense over Russia’s decision to attend peace talks in Turkey comes amid increasing signs that Russia is preparing for a new ground offensive this summer.