Zelenskyy Attends Turkey Peace Talks, Putin Skips/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy traveled to Turkey for long-awaited peace talks, but Russian President Vladimir Putin failed to attend. While Russian delegates were present in Istanbul, Zelenskyy dismissed the move as symbolic without Putin’s direct involvement. The absence underscores the deep impasse as the war enters its fourth year with no clear path to peace.
Ukraine Peace Talks in Turkey Quick Looks
- Zelenskyy arrives in Ankara for planned peace summit
- Putin skips meeting, sending aides to Istanbul instead
- Russia calls talks a ‘restart,’ Ukraine demands Putin attend
- Trump, NATO push for ceasefire amid mounting casualties
- Putin’s absence deflates hopes for diplomatic breakthrough
- U.S. warns of renewed sanctions if peace stalls
- Turkey hosts dual talks: NATO in Antalya, Ukraine-Russia in Istanbul
- Ukrainian delegation includes top ministers, awaits next steps
- Zelenskyy expected to meet Erdogan for strategy talks
- Empty seat for Putin becomes symbolic moment
Deep Look: Ukraine’s Zelenskyy Awaits Putin in Turkey Peace Talks — But Russia Sends Delegates Instead
ANKARA, Turkey — May 15, 2025 — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived in Ankara on Thursday, ready for long-anticipated peace talks that could have marked a turning point in the grinding, 3-year-old war with Russia. But his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin never showed up.
The absence of the Kremlin leader punctured hopes of meaningful negotiations, even as a Russian delegation gathered in Istanbul, raising doubts about the Kremlin’s commitment to peace.
“Their delegation appears to be decorative,” Zelenskyy told reporters at the Ankara airport.
Kremlin Sidesteps Personal Diplomacy
Putin’s failure to attend, following his own proposal for talks, was met with frustration and condemnation from Ukraine and Western leaders alike.
“We have one chair empty,” said Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen, referencing Putin. “It’s clear who isn’t ready for peace.”
According to the Kremlin, Putin has “no plans” to travel to Istanbul, instead assigning aide Vladimir Medinsky to lead Russia’s delegation. Medinsky had previously headed Moscow’s talks with Ukraine in March 2022 — which collapsed quickly.
Also missing from the talks were senior figures like Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and policy adviser Yuri Ushakov, who had attended recent negotiations with the U.S. in Saudi Arabia.
Ukraine Demands Face-to-Face Talks
Ukraine’s delegation includes Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, and Presidential Chief of Staff Andriy Yermak. But Zelenskyy insists he will only meet directly with Putin.
Presidential adviser Mykhailo Podolyak reinforced that point: “Zelenskyy will not negotiate through intermediaries.”
For now, Zelenskyy is expected to discuss the impasse with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, who offered to mediate the summit and greeted the Ukrainian leader with full military honors at the presidential palace.
Hopes for Peace Fade—Again
The latest round of diplomacy had been set in motion last weekend when European leaders met with Zelenskyy in Kyiv and urged a 30-day unconditional ceasefire. Putin responded with a call for direct talks in Turkey, prompting Zelenskyy’s public challenge for a one-on-one meeting.
That challenge went unmet. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed Thursday that Putin would not be traveling, though he had held strategy talks with his delegation the night before.
“So far, Russia has not reciprocated our constructive steps,” said Sybiha.
U.S. and NATO Urge Progress—or Consequences
In Doha, U.S. President Donald Trump dismissed Putin’s absence as expected. “I didn’t think it was possible for Putin to go if I’m not there,” he told reporters, suggesting his presence is key to any meaningful outcome.
Trump has sent Secretary of State Marco Rubio, envoy Steve Witkoff, and Senator Lindsey Graham to coordinate with Ukrainian officials and regional allies.
“If Russia doesn’t engage, sanctions will escalate,” warned French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot, who met with Sybiha earlier in the day.
Russia’s Next Moves: Stalling or Strategy?
Despite its no-show in Ankara, Moscow framed the Istanbul talks as a “restart” of its earlier diplomatic overtures. But critics argue the Kremlin’s demands remain inflexible.
“Russia wants surrender, not negotiation,” said one NATO diplomat on background.
Meanwhile, Ukraine’s military warns that Russian forces are preparing for a new offensive along the eastern front, even as peace talks linger in limbo.
What Comes Next?
- No clear time has been set for meetings between the Ukrainian and Russian teams in Istanbul.
- Trump administration sources say this week could be a “last chance” for progress before walking away from mediation efforts.
- Zelenskyy will meet Erdogan for a private consultation on possible next steps.
Putin’s conspicuous absence has already reshaped expectations. The symbolic image of an empty chair—where the Russian president was expected to sit—may become a lasting emblem of missed opportunity.
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