Russian President Vladimir Putin has opted not to attend the upcoming peace talks with Ukraine in Istanbul, instead delegating the responsibility to a team of senior officials. The Russian delegation will be led by Kremlin aide Vladimir Medinsky, who previously headed negotiations in 2022, accompanied by Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin, Deputy Defense Minister Alexander Fomin, and Igor Kostyukov, the head of Russia’s military intelligence agency .
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had extended an invitation for direct talks with Putin, emphasizing the importance of face-to-face negotiations to resolve the ongoing conflict. However, the Kremlin’s decision to send a delegation without Putin has been met with skepticism. Zelensky criticized the move, referring to the Russian delegation as a “theatre prop,” suggesting that their presence might not lead to substantive progress .
The talks in Istanbul mark the first direct negotiations between Russia and Ukraine in over three years. While the Russian delegation has expressed readiness for serious discussions, the absence of top-level leadership from both sides raises questions about the potential effectiveness of the talks .
International reactions have been mixed. Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has encouraged Putin to participate directly in the negotiations, underscoring the global desire for a peaceful resolution. Meanwhile, former U.S. President Donald Trump, who had shown interest in attending the talks if Putin did, has withdrawn his participation due to scheduling conflicts .
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As the talks proceed, the international community watches closely, hopeful for a breakthrough that could pave the way for lasting peace in the region.
