Russian President Vladimir Putin has decided not to attend the anticipated peace talks in Istanbul with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the Kremlin confirmed on Wednesday. This decision has dashed hopes for a long-awaited face-to-face meeting between the two leaders—something the world had been watching closely as a potential turning point in the ongoing war.
In place of Putin, the Russian delegation will be led by Vladimir Medinsky, a close aide to the president who previously headed the 2022 round of direct negotiations between the two nations. He will be accompanied by senior Russian officials including Deputy Defence Minister Alexander Fomin, Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin, and the head of Russia’s military intelligence, Igor Kostyukov. The absence of top diplomats like Yuri Ushakov and Sergei Lavrov, who have historically taken part in high-level talks, has been noted by observers as a signal of Russia’s strategic intent—perhaps one of caution or hesitation rather than genuine reconciliation.
Ukrainian President Zelenskyy, who was en route to Ankara to meet Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, expressed disappointment. In his words, “If Putin does not arrive and plays games, it is final proof that he does not want to end the war.” Zelenskyy had earlier stated his willingness to attend the talks in Istanbul on the condition that Putin would be present, underlining the Ukrainian leader’s call for direct dialogue at the highest level.
Adding to the disheartening developments, former US President Donald Trump, who was rumored to possibly attend the summit while on a visit to the Gulf nations, also decided to skip the Istanbul meeting after Putin’s withdrawal. His team offered no confirmation regarding his involvement, and US officials later made it clear that Trump would not participate under the current circumstances.
This was to be the first direct interaction between Putin and Zelenskyy since 2019, and the first such attempt at negotiations since March 2022, shortly after Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The talks in 2022 had ended inconclusively, as Ukraine rejected several of Russia’s proposals, which included constraints on its military and resistance to Western rebuilding efforts.
The latest setback highlights the fragile and complex nature of peace efforts in the region. While diplomatic channels remain technically open, the lack of commitment at the highest political levels continues to cast a long shadow over hopes for resolution. For the countless families impacted by war on both sides, this missed opportunity is yet another bitter reminder of the enduring uncertainty and pain of conflict.