Russia Releases Delegation for Peace Talks with Ukraine, But Putin Will Not Attend
On Wednesday, Russia announced the officials who will participate in peace talks with Ukraine in Turkey; notably absent from the list was President Vladimir V. Putin. His non-participation signals an unwillingness to engage directly with President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine, who has publicly labeled Putin a murderer.
The Kremlin confirmed that the delegation will be led by hardliner Vladimir Medinsky and include Deputy Defense Minister Alexander Fomin, among other senior military and intelligence officials. Meanwhile, former President Donald Trump mentioned the possibility of attending the talks but ultimately decided against it while on a Middle East tour. Trump stated that Secretary of State Marco Rubio would represent the U.S. instead, suggesting that Rubio could be influential in the discussions.
As pressure for peace increases, Zelensky expressed cautious openness to negotiations but made it clear that Ukraine would respond based on the composition of the Russian delegation. He urged stronger Western sanctions against Russia should Mr. Putin decline the talks, highlighting Ukraine’s ongoing struggle against Russian advances.
The stakes are high as the conflict continues to escalate, with heavy casualties on both sides and depleting resources for Russia. Analysts note that despite Putin’s claims of battlefield success, military setbacks and equipment shortages challenge the Kremlin’s narrative.
With an urgent call for a ceasefire and ongoing international pressure, Zelensky underscored Ukraine’s readiness to negotiate while emphasizing the necessity for robust security guarantees from the U.S. This context sets the stage for potentially pivotal discussions in Turkey, as European allies rally to support a resolution to one of the largest conflicts in Europe since World War II.
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