Vladimir Putin to Skip Ukraine Peace Talks in Turkey
Russian President Vladimir Putin will not attend the upcoming Ukraine peace talks in Turkey, despite having proposed the negotiations himself earlier in May. Instead, the Kremlin has announced that a delegation led by Putin’s close aide, Vladimir Medinsky, will represent Russia at the talks, which are scheduled to take place in Istanbul. Medinsky previously led the Russian delegation in the last direct negotiations with Ukraine in 2022, soon after the full-scale invasion began.
The Russian team will be headed by Vladimir Medinsky, a presidential adviser known for his hardline stance. Other senior officials accompanying him include Deputy Defence Minister Alexander Fomin, Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin, and Igor Kostyukov, the head of Russia’s military intelligence agency. This lineup reflects Moscow’s preference for experienced technocrats and seasoned negotiators rather than top political leadership.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had expressed willingness to meet Putin in person, stating he was ready to travel to Istanbul if the Russian leader agreed to attend. Zelenskyy characterized Putin’s absence as evidence that Russia is not serious about ending the war.
U.S. President Donald Trump, who had previously indicated he might attend if Putin was present, has also decided not to participate. Instead, the U.S. will be represented by Secretary of State Marco Rubio and other senior officials.
The absence of both Putin and Trump from the talks has dampened expectations for a major breakthrough, though the negotiations are still seen as a significant step after years of stalled diplomacy.
Putin’s decision not to attend comes amid ongoing hostilities and shifting dynamics on the battlefield, with both sides suffering significant losses. The last direct talks between Russian and Ukrainian leaders occurred in 2019, and the last round of negotiations between delegations was in Istanbul in March 2022. The renewed talks are taking place under international pressure, with Western nations threatening further sanctions against Russia should it fail to engage meaningfully in the peace process.
Summary Table: Russian Delegation to Turkey Talks
| Role | Name |
|---|---|
| Head of Delegation | Vladimir Medinsky |
| Deputy Defence Minister | Alexander Fomin |
| Deputy Foreign Minister | Mikhail Galuzin |
| Military Intelligence Head | Igor Kostyukov |
