Putin snubs Zelenskyy in direct peace talks

Vladimir Putin will not be part of the Russian delegation traveling to Turkey for negotiations with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

The Kremlin announced in a statement that the delegation will instead include Presidential Advisor Vladimir Medinsky, Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin, and Deputy Defense Minister Alexander Fomin.

U.S. President Donald Trump, who was previously expected to possibly join the talks, will also not be attending. He is currently on a tour of the Middle East, where he has already met with leaders in Saudi Arabia and Qatar.

Negotiations between Kyiv and Moscow have so far reached a stalemate, despite Washington’s earlier efforts to mediate. The U.S. recently announced it would scale back its involvement in the discussions.

President Zelenskyy, backed by European allies, has reiterated his call for the Russian leader to agree to a 30-day ceasefire as a necessary first step toward serious peace negotiations.

(QG - Source: The Daily Express — Picture : © Unsplash)