Trump ‘Not Disappointed’ by Moscow’s Low-Level Delegation in Turkey

US President Donald Trump said on Thursday he is “not disappointed” by Moscow’s low-level delegation in Turkey, but later said he knew “nothing about a delegation” aboard Air Force One,

On Sunday, Russian leader Vladimir Putin proposed direct talks with Kyiv in Istanbul on Thursday in response to the West’s ceasefire ultimatum, but he chose to send a low-level delegation comprising deputy ministers in his place, despite calls by his Ukrainian counterpart to attend in person.

Trump, when asked by a BBC reporter aboard Air Force One about whether he is “disappointed” by the Russian representation, said he is not, before adding he knew nothing about it.

“Mr. President, are you disappointed in the level of the delegation that the Russians sent to Turkey?” the reporter asked.

“I’m not disappointed in anything… Why would I be – We just took in $4 trillion and he says, ‘Are you disappointed about a delegation,’” Trump said, referring to the latest deals he struck in Saudi Arabia.

“I know nothing about a delegation. I haven’t even checked,” he added.

Trump then said, “Nothing’s going to happen until Putin and I get together.”

Earlier, Trump said he may visit Turkey on Friday, May 16, to attend Ukraine-Russia talks “if it is appropriate,” while hinting earlier that he would go if Putin goes, and that Putin will likely show up only if he is there.

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A direct talk between Trump and Putin has been in the works since the former’s return to office this year, but it has yet to come to fruition.

As for the low-level Russian delegation, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has called it a “sham,” a comment criticized by Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova, who called Zelensky a “clown” and defended the delegation as “distinguished people, professionals.”

Vladimir Medinsky, Putin’s aide and Russia’s former culture minister, leading Thursday’s delegation, has long amplified Russia’s imperialist narratives and once claimed that Russians are superior due to “one extra chromosome” without realizing it means Down syndrome.