Kremlin Reveals Who Will Attend Turkey Talks Amid Putin's Notable Absence

The Russian president's delegation will be led by a hard-liner as peace talks loom in Turkey, raising questions about his future involvement.

In a surprising turn of events, the Kremlin publicized a list of officials slated to attend peace talks with Ukraine in Turkey, notably excluding President Vladimir V. Putin. This omission hints strongly at the likelihood of Putin not directly meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who has labeled him a murderer for his role in the ongoing conflict. The Kremlin confirmed that Putin had approved the delegation, which will instead be led by a hard-line aide.

Former President Donald Trump previously expressed interest in joining the Turkey meetings—a shift in his diplomatic focus that had rekindled hope for progress. However, on Wednesday, during his three-nation trip through the Middle East, Trump announced he would also skip the talks, choosing instead to visit the United Arab Emirates. He confirmed that Secretary of State Marco Rubio is expected to attend in his place.

"We have a very packed schedule," Trump remarked to reporters. "But I’ve been considering traveling over there to potentially save lives," reflecting his ongoing commitment to international peace efforts despite his current plans.