Trump Downplays Putin No-Show at Peace Talks/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ President Donald Trump said he wasn’t surprised by Vladimir Putin’s absence from Ukraine peace talks in Istanbul. While Trump had urged a direct meeting between Putin and Zelenskyy, he dismissed the Kremlin leader’s no-show during his visit to Qatar. The U.S. continues to push for negotiations as Trump heads to the UAE to conclude his Gulf tour.
Istanbul Talks Quick Looks
- Putin skips direct peace talks with Zelenskyy in Istanbul
- Trump says he expected Putin wouldn’t attend without him
- Trump envoy Steve Witkoff and Secretary Rubio attending talks
- Zelenskyy willing to meet only if Putin appears
- Russia sends delegation led by aide Vladimir Medinsky
- Trump visits al-Udeid Air Base, meets U.S. troops
- Warns Iran deal talks could turn “violent” if stalled
- Heads to UAE for state dinner with President Mohammed bin Zayed
- Calls Syria’s new leader al-Sharaa a “strong fighter”
- Lifts sanctions on Syria amid encouragement from Erdogan, MBS
Deep Look: Trump Shrugs Off Putin’s Absence from Turkey Peace Talks, Presses Ahead in Mideast Diplomacy
DOHA, Qatar — May 15, 2025 — President Donald Trump on Thursday brushed aside Vladimir Putin’s decision to skip highly anticipated peace talks with Ukraine in Istanbul, downplaying the Russian president’s absence as unsurprising.
“I didn’t think it was possible for Putin to go if I’m not there,” Trump told reporters during a business roundtable in Doha, Qatar, on the third day of his Middle East tour.
Trump had floated attending the peace summit himself but ultimately opted to send a high-powered U.S. team led by Secretary of State Marco Rubio and special envoy Steve Witkoff, who are scheduled to join Friday’s talks in Istanbul.
Peace Push Falters Without Putin
Putin had proposed the Istanbul summit last weekend, prompting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to challenge him to meet face-to-face. However, the Kremlin confirmed that Putin would not attend, sending aide Vladimir Medinsky and three other officials instead.
Zelenskyy, speaking from Ankara, made clear he would only engage directly with Putin.
With Trump declining to personally intervene and Putin absent, hopes for a breakthrough in the long-running war between Russia and Ukraine have dimmed again.
Trump Visits U.S. Troops, Defends Military Readiness
While in Qatar, Trump visited al-Udeid Air Base, a hub of U.S. operations in the Middle East. Addressing roughly 8,000 stationed troops, Trump reaffirmed his desire to end foreign entanglements but warned that America’s strength remains uncompromised.
“My priority is to end conflicts, not start them,” Trump said. “But I will never hesitate to wield American power if it’s necessary.”
Iran Nuclear Deal: Progress or Pressure?
Trump also used his Doha visit to pressure Iran, suggesting progress in nuclear talks while warning of possible repercussions if diplomacy fails.
“Iran has sort of agreed to the terms. They’re not going to make — I call it, in a friendly way — nuclear dust,” he said, hinting that further escalation could be avoided if Tehran complies.
Qatar Deal and UAE Next Stop
On Wednesday, Qatar signed a $200 billion agreement to purchase 160 Boeing jets. Trump hailed the deal during his visit with Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, calling it a win for American industry and a symbol of deepening U.S.-Qatar ties.
Later Thursday, Trump flew to Abu Dhabi, where he is scheduled to visit the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque and attend a state dinner with UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan at the Qasr Al Watan palace.
Trump’s Syria Shift: From Enemy to Ally
Earlier this week in Saudi Arabia, Trump announced he would lift U.S. sanctions on Syria following a face-to-face meeting with interim Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa, a former insurgent once tied to al-Qaida.
“Young, attractive guy. Tough guy. Strong past. Very strong past. Fighter,” Trump said admiringly.
Trump’s dramatic shift — from placing a $10 million bounty on al-Sharaa to praising him as a potential stabilizer — came after lobbying from Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
“President Erdogan called me and said, ‘Is there any way you could do that? Because if you don’t do that, they don’t have a chance,’” Trump recalled.
What’s Next on Trump’s Mideast Tour?
- UAE state visit and defense partnership discussions
- Potential updates on Abraham Accords expansion
- Monitoring outcome of Istanbul peace talks via Rubio, Witkoff
- Ongoing pressure campaign on Iran nuclear negotiations
As he heads into the final leg of his Middle East swing, Trump appears determined to reshape U.S. diplomacy in the region through assertive deals and unconventional relationships — even if traditional players like Putin remain absent.
You must Register or Login to post a comment.