Kremlin Remains Silent on Putin's Attendance at Turkey Talks Amid Growing Tension

As negotiations loom in Istanbul, uncertainty prevails over President Putin's participation, raising questions about Russia's willingness to engage in peace talks.

The Kremlin's silence regarding President Vladimir Putin's attendance at upcoming negotiations with Ukraine has raised eyebrows. This comes as President Trump suggested that he may personally attend the talks in Turkey, aiming to spur a peace agreement. Putin had recently called for direct discussions yet ignored Kyiv and its allies' demands for an immediate cease-fire before facing further sanctions.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed his plans to travel to Turkey for the discussions, publicly challenging Putin to join him. However, Kremlin spokesman Dmitri S. Peskov refrained from disclosing the makeup of Russia’s delegation when pressed for information. “As soon as the president sees it fit, we will announce,” he remarked to Russian news channels.

Trump's indication that he might also fly to Turkey elevates the stakes ahead of the scheduled talks on Thursday. His administration shared dissatisfaction with the stagnation of negotiations aimed at securing a cease-fire, prompting questions regarding Putin's true intentions for peace.

Andriy Yermak, Zelensky’s chief of staff, noted that Trump "expects" both leaders to participate in the talks. He emphasized that if Putin declined the invitation, it would signal Russia's lack of willingness to pursue negotiations, thus prolonging the conflict.

International pressure on Moscow continues, especially from Kyiv's European allies advocating for a 30-day unconditional truce – a proposition quickly accepted by Ukraine but met with silence from Russia. European leaders visiting Kyiv urged Putin to commit by the approaching deadline, threatening additional sanctions should he fail to do so. As of now, no new sanctions are in place, leaving the situation fraught with uncertainty.