Putin's absence at Istanbul talks signals Russia's evasive stance
Kaja Kallas, the EU’s top diplomat, addressed Vladimir Putin’s absence from the negotiations in Istanbul by asserting that Russia has no genuine interest in achieving peace. She emphasized that the international community has recognized Russia’s manipulative conduct.
Participating in the European Political Community summit in Tirana, the head of EU diplomacy, Kaja Kallas, told journalists that it is obvious that Russia does not want peace. She was referring to the fact that the Russian leader, Vladimir Putin, did not attend the peace negotiations in Istanbul, even though Volodymyr Zelensky was prepared to meet with him.
She noted that although preparations had been made for a high-level meeting, Putin seemingly lacked the courage to attend. According to her, Russia’s attempts to downplay the event reveal a dismissive attitude toward the negotiations. She added that the international community witnessed Russia's manipulative behaviour.
For some time, it seemed possible that Putin and Zelensky would personally talk to each other at the negotiations in Turkey. The Ukrainian president was ready for such a meeting, but the Russian dictator did not decide to come to Istanbul.
New EU sanctions on Russia
The head of EU diplomacy and Vice-President of the European Commission announced another sanctions package. On Wednesday, EU countries preliminarily accepted the 17th package, which, among other things, imposes sanctions on additional Russian ships from the so-called shadow fleet and includes restrictions on Russian prosecutors and judges involved in repressions against opposition figures Alexei Navalny and Vladimir Kara-Murza.
Kallas reminded us that the European Commission presented a plan to cut off the Community from Russian resources and is now working on a legislative proposal regarding this matter.
