Putin skips direct peace talks, keeps Kyiv guessing

• Putin does not plan to meet with 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 uncertain.
• Zelensky awaits decisions – The Ukrainian president wants to negotiate a 30-day ceasefire and is waiting for the disclosure of the Russian delegation to make further decisions.

According to the Moscow Times, Vladimir Putin does not intend to meet with Volodymyr Zelensky in Istanbul. Sources close to the Kremlin claim the Russian president does not consider the Ukrainian leader his equal. The meeting would only make sense if Zelensky publicly capitulated. However, the Kremlin cannot directly reject this challenge due to US President Donald Trump, whom Putin wants to convince that Russia is interested in peace.

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

Volodymyr Zelensky has 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 represents Russia at the talks.