Trump downplays Putin's decision to skip Istanbul peace talks with Zelenskyy
The Hindu
Trump not surprised by Putin's absence at Ukraine peace talks in Turkiye, as U.S. pushes for negotiations.
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Thursday (May 15, 2025) that he was not surprised that Russian President Vladimir Putin will be a no-show for anticipated peace talks with Ukraine in Turkiye this week.
Mr. Trump, who had pressed for Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to meet in Istanbul, brushed off Putin's apparent decision to not take part in the expected talks.
“I didn't think it was possible for Putin to go if I'm not there,” Mr. Trump said in an exchange with reporters as he took part in a business roundtable with executives in Doha on the third day of his visit to the Middle East.
The U.S. president, however, noted on Thursday (May 15, 2025) that Secretary of State Marco Rubio was already in the country for meetings with NATO counterparts. Trump's special envoy, Steve Witkoff, also plans to be in Istanbul on Friday (May 16, 2025) for the anticipated Russia-Ukraine talks.
The push for direct talks between Mr. Zelenskyy and Mr. Putin comes amid a flurry of negotiations aimed at producing a ceasefire agreement between Russia and Ukraine.
Mr. Putin was first to propose restarting direct peace talks on Thursday with Ukraine in the Turkish city that straddles Asia and Europe. Mr. Zelenskyy challenged the Kremlin leader to meet in Turkiye in person.
But the Kremlin has said its delegation at the talks will be led by Putin's aide, Vladimir Medinsky, and include three other officials. Ukrainian presidential adviser Mykhailo Podolyak said Zelenskyy will only sit down with the Russian leader.
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