Putin's absence casts shadow over Istanbul peace talks

• Putin does not plan to meet Zelensky in Istanbul – the independent Russian service, Moscow Times, reports that the Russian president does not consider the Ukrainian leader his equal and will only agree to a meeting if Zelensky publicly capitulates.
• Uncertainty regarding Russia's representation – Moscow has not yet revealed who will represent Russia at the talks in Turkey, which could be a deliberate tactic to keep Kyiv and its allies guessing.
• Zelensky awaits decisions – the Ukrainian president wants to negotiate a 30-day ceasefire and is waiting for the disclosure of the Russian delegation to decide on further steps.

According to the Moscow Times, Vladimir Putin does not intend to meet Volodymyr Zelensky in Istanbul. Sources close to the Kremlin suggest that the Russian president does not consider the Ukrainian leader his equal. The meeting would only make sense in the event of Zelensky's public capitulation. However, the Kremlin cannot directly reject this challenge because of US President Donald Trump, whom Putin wants to persuade that Russia is interested in peace.

Moscow has not yet disclosed who will represent the Russian side at the talks in Turkey. Sources suggest that the silence surrounding Russia's plans is a tactic intended to keep Kyiv and its allies in uncertainty. The Kremlin is considering several possibilities, including a potential visit by Putin to Turkey, although without a meeting with Zelensky. Instead, Putin might meet Donald Trump.

Volodymyr Zelensky stated that he is waiting for the disclosure of who will represent Russia at the talks in Istanbul. The Ukrainian president wants to negotiate an unconditional 30-day ceasefire. His decisions will depend on who appears at the talks from the Russian side.