Russian President Vladimir Putin refused to attend peace talks in Istanbul today, sending instead the same delegation that demanded Ukraine's surrender in 2022.
The Kremlim has confirmed that the Russian ruler will not attend the Istanbul peace talks he himself proposed, signaling Moscow’s control over the negotiations.
Four people have been killed in Russian attack in Sumy Oblast since the day, when EU-US-backed ceasefire should have stopped Moscow's strikes and fighting.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has refused to attend peace talks in Turkiye, despite President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s public call for direct negotiations.
The return of Vladimir Medinsky, who previously demanded Ukraine's de facto surrender and denied Bucha atrocities, signals Moscow's unwillingness to compromise despite mounting international pressure and Turkey's mediation efforts.
Ukraine has orchestrated a diplomatic checkmate—if Putin fails to appear in Turkiye on 15 May, Western allies are ready to unleash unprecedented sanctions on Russia.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said he’s ready to meet Vladimir Putin in Istanbul on 15 May to negotiate a ceasefire. But the Kremlin has yet to confirm the participation of any Russian delegate — dragging its feet while Russian forces continue shelling Ukraine.
Earlier, Leo XIV said the world was experiencing a “third world war in pieces" and that he carried “the sufferings of the beloved Ukrainian people” in his heart.
Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys sharply criticized Putin's response to the proposed 30-day ceasefire, accusing him of escalating terror instead of pursuing dialogue and called for tightening of sanctions.
European manufacturers' subsidiaries in Turkiye and Asia help Russia maintain weapons production capability despite sanctions targeting critical machine tools.
Zelenskyy reveals Russia's 2022 Istanbul peace demands included installing pro-Moscow leader, reducing Ukraine's army to 50,000, and surrendering long-range weapons capabilities.