Putin Not on List to Attend Russia-Ukraine Peace Talks in Turkey

What Happened?

Russian President Vladimir Putin is not listed among the names that are set to attend peace talks on Thursday surrounding the war in Ukraine.

According to reports, the Kremlin stated that Russia's delegation will instead be headed by presidential aide Vladimir Medinksy for the Turkey summit in Istanbul.

Although Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was set to attend, he will now be in the Turkish capital Ankara to meet President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, according to BBC News.

President Donald Trump said there was a possibility he could travel to Turkey on Thursday, as Zelensky and Putin could have potentially met face-to-face.

The excitement of the two leaders possibly meeting had drawn attention.

But the Kremlin reportedly declined for days to say who would be attending the summit.

Reports also suggested that Russian officials had prepared plans to justify Putin’s absence.

'I don’t know if he’s showing up,' President Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One Wednesday. 'I know he would like me to be there. And that's a possibility.'

Despite Trump's full Middle East schedule, Secretary of State and interim national security advisor Marco Rubio plans to attend.

Special envoys Steve Witkoff and Keith Kellogg are reportedly expected to join Rubio to represent the U.S.

Why it Matters

Putin suggested the proposed talks in the Turkish city on May 15.

He said the talks should be aimed at bringing a durable peace and eliminating the root causes of the war.

It's a shift from past positions both sides have previously taken.

Zelensky and Putin have blamed one another for past broken ceasefire agreements.

Some reports believe that while the effort is positive, the talks are unlikely to yield immediate results that the U.S. has sought.

Vice President JD Vance recently told global officials during the Munich Leaders Meeting that Russia is 'asking for too much' in efforts to end its war with Ukraine.

Vance and officials discussed long-term settlement options in Kyiv.

Moscow rejected the U.S. call for a 30-day ceasefire despite its unilateral three-day ceasefire for 'Victory Day.'

The U.S. has tested its patience with Putin and was prepared to walk away.

Ukraine has shown a stronger commitment after signing a rare minerals agreement with the U.S.

The move was essential in the hopes of ensuring continued access to future U.S. military aid.

It has also restored U.S. support, which has pressured Russia's stagnation.

How it Affects You

More attention now on Russia has begun to shift some demands.

Putin has sought to take control of four Ukrainian regions as part of any agreement to end the war in Kyiv.

But European powers now echo frustrations that Putin agrees to an extended ceasefire or face 'massive' new sanctions.

Should Putin 100% not attend Thursday's summit, it may entirely change Russia's leverage.

It could be one of Russia's few remaining moves to show world leaders it is focused on establishing truce efforts.