Russia, Ukraine Delegations Meet in Istanbul Without Putin for Peace Talks

Peace talks between Russia and Ukraine took place in Turkey but were overshadowed by the absence of Russian President Vladimir Putin, who declined a face-to-face meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Zelenskyy criticized the Russian delegation as a mere "theatre prop," reflecting skepticism about Russia's commitment to meaningful negotiations. Despite hopes raised by recent diplomatic efforts and comments from Turkish officials about a possible new chapter, expectations for a major breakthrough remain low. President Donald Trump stated that progress would only occur if he and Putin met, underscoring the complexities surrounding the peace process. Ukraine is considering sending a diplomatic team to Istanbul to evaluate the seriousness of the Russian delegation, with the possibility of withdrawing if the talks prove insincere. The ongoing conflict continues to cause significant casualties and instability along the front lines, even as diplomatic maneuvers continue.