President Vladimir Putin’s failure to attend the much-anticipated peace talks in the Turkish city of Istanbul has been criticized.
Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelenskyy had previously proposed a face-to-face meeting in Turkey between himself and his Russian counterpart.
Instead, Russia sent a low-level delegation for talks in Istanbul, after a meeting held yesterday in Moscow between Vladimir Putin and senior defence and security officials.
Presidential adviser Vladimir Medinsky heads Russia’s delegation, which includes a Deputy Defence Minister, a Deputy Foreign Minister, and the Head of the GRU military intelligence agency.
The Russian delegation landed early today, Thursday, May 15, 2025.
However, the day’s events have been marred by confusion and uncertainty, with no clear indication of when the peace talks between Russia and Ukraine will take place.
Criticising Putin’s absence, French Foreign Minister, Jean-Noel Barrot said that Zelenskyy had shown good faith by travelling to Türkiye, but there was an “empty chair” where Russian President Vladimir Putin should be sitting.
“Putin is stalling and clearly has no desire to enter these peace negotiations, even when President Trump expressed his availability and his desire to facilitate these negotiations.”
Jean-Noel Barrot
Also, Estonian Foreign Minister, Margus Tsahkna said that Putin’s dispatching of a low-level delegation to Turkiye for talks regarding the war in Ukraine was “like a slap in the face.”
British Foreign Secretary David Lammy, who is in Antalya, said that Zelenskyy has shown “readiness for that peace” by travelling to Turkey but criticised Russia for sending “low-level individuals.”
Dutch Foreign Minister, Caspar Veldkamp also criticised Russian president Vladimir Putin for refusing to attend peace talks with Ukraine in Istanbul.
“President Putin is missing in action. It is clear that the problem lies with Russia, and we must now increase the pressure so that they take this peace initiative seriously.”
Caspar Veldkamp
In his first comments after landing in Ankara, Volodymyr Zelenskyy dismissed the Russian delegation that had arrived in Istanbul.
“We’re in contact with the American side, I believe they’ll also be present in Turkey at a high level. As for the Russians, we’ll see. Nothing has been confirmed officially, but from what we’ve observed, it looks more like a theatre prop than a serious one.
“What we do know for certain,” he added, “is who actually makes decisions on the Russian side. And we will act accordingly.”
Volodymyr Zelenskyy
A statement from Zelenskyy’s office said that The Ukrainian President “is accompanied by a high-level Ukrainian delegation capable of preparing the necessary decisions.” It added, “We note that Russia has also sent a delegation to Turkey – unfortunately, of rather low rank and with an unclear mandate.”
Russian foreign ministry Spokesperson, Maria Zakharova previously said that the delegation dispatched from Moscow is “ready for serious work,” despite the message that comes from sending a group composed of several Deputy Ministers and a presidential aide to Vladimir Putin rather than the leader himself.
Trump Downplays Putin’s Absence
Meanwhile, US President, Donald Trump said that he was not surprised that Russian President Vladimir Putin would be a no-show for the talks.
Trump said in an exchange with reporters as he took part in a business roundtable with executives in Qatar on the third day of his visit to the Middle East, “I didn’t think it was possible for Putin to go if I’m not there,” adding, “Why would he go if I’m not going?”
However, he added that if something happened, he’d go on Friday if it was appropriate. “We can help the world psychologically. So we think we’re going to do well with Russia/Ukraine,” he said.
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