Putin skips crucial Istanbul talks; new EU sanctions loom
Kaja Kallas, the head of EU diplomacy, commented on Vladimir Putin's absence from the talks in Istanbul, emphasizing that Russia does not take negotiations seriously.
Key information
- Kaja Kallas emphasizes that Russia does not want peace.
- Vladimir Putin did not appear at the talks in Istanbul.
- The European Commission is preparing the 18th package of sanctions against Russia.
On Friday, negotiations took place in Istanbul with representatives from the USA, Russia, Ukraine, and Turkey. However, the Russian president, Vladimir Putin, did not attend the meeting. The head of EU diplomacy, Kaja Kallas, commented on this absence, highlighting that Russia is not taking the talks seriously.
Kallas remarked that while everyone was prepared for a high-level meeting, Putin appeared unwilling to attend. She criticized this move as a sign that Russia does not take the talks seriously, adding that the entire world can see that Russia is merely playing games.
Kaja Kallas reported that the European Commission is working on the 18th package of sanctions against Russia. Earlier, on Wednesday, EU countries accepted the 17th package, which includes sanctions on Russian ships and restrictions against prosecutors and judges involved in the repression of opposition activists.
Reactions to Putin's absence
Putin's absence in Istanbul sparked a wave of comments. The Russian leader, Vladimir Putin, made a big mistake by sending a low-level delegation to Istanbul for talks with Ukraine, assessed NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte on Friday in Tirana. He also emphasized that Ukraine "sent a delegation to Turkey authorized to negotiate a ceasefire."
Marco Rubio, representing the USA, also did not hide his disappointment. At the same time, he stated that he does not believe any breakthrough in negotiations between Russia and Ukraine is possible "until President Trump stands face to face with President Putin and determines what his intentions are for the future."
