Putin Absent from Turkey Talks as Zelenskyy Questions Russian Delegation
Russian President Vladimir Putin missed peace talks in Turkey with Ukrainian President Zelenskyy, who criticized the Russian delegation. Zelenskyy plans to discuss next steps with Turkish President Erdogan. Trump expressed frustration over stalled negotiations. The war continues to claim thousands of lives as both sides prepare for renewed offensives.
Russian President Vladimir Putin skipped a scheduled peace talk in Turkey with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Thursday. This came after a proposal by Putin for direct discussions was put forth during a televised statement over the weekend. Zelenskyy had initially expressed willingness for this meeting under the premise of enough concessions to warrant real dialogue. The backdrop of this development includes demands from European nations that urged Putin to accept an unconditional ceasefire or face serious sanctions.
In response to the absence of Putin, Zelenskyy critiqued the Russian delegation as appearing “theatrical” and mentioned plans to consult with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan before deciding Ukraine’s next steps. He remarked on X, stating the importance of assessing the true authority and ability of the Russian delegation to negotiate, emphasizing that actual decision-making lies elsewhere in the Russian leadership.
Former President Donald Trump, who has been instrumental in pushing for negotiations, expressed his frustration over the delayed discussions. On Truth Social, Trump stated, “President Putin… wants to meet on Thursday, in Turkey, to negotiate a possible end to the BLOODBATH.” He urged Ukraine to engage in talks, asserting that clarity on the negotiating conditions would benefit all involved parties.
In a rather critical tone, he noted skepticism regarding Ukraine’s chances of reaching an agreement with Putin. Trump referenced Putin’s celebrations surrounding World War II and insisted that meaningful dialogue was essential to curb the ongoing crisis.
Meanwhile, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov commented that Putin has no immediate plans to visit Istanbul and indicated that talks with Trump are similarly off the docket for the moment. Trump, while on a trip to the Middle East, indicated that real progress would not emerge without his involvement, emphasizing the need to address the humanitarian crisis rapidly.
The prolonged conflict has incurred heavy casualties on both sides, with estimates suggesting tens of thousands of military deaths along with more than 12,000 civilian losses in Ukraine, as reported by the U.N. Russian military preparations for renewed offensives have raised concerns amongst Kyiv and its western allies, as the conflict shows no sign of resolution any time soon.
In summary, Putin’s absence from peace discussions in Turkey highlights ongoing tensions and skepticism regarding the likelihood of an agreement. Zelenskyy’s remarks on the ineffectiveness of the Russian delegation reflect deep uncertainties in negotiation processes. Moreover, Trump’s insistence on immediate dialogue underscores urgent calls for intervention amid significant loss of life in the conflict. As the situation evolves, the prospect of meaningful discussions remains precarious while the humanitarian crisis deepens.
Original Source: abc7amarillo.com
