Putin, Trump to skip Ukraine's peace talks that Russian leader proposed

[littlemissmartypants]

Source: Reuters

WASHINGTON/ISTANBUL, May 15 (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin indicated they would not attend what could be the first direct peace talks between Moscow and Kyiv in three years on Thursday, with the Kremlin sending instead a group of experienced technocrats.

Putin on Sunday proposed direct negotiations with Ukraine in Istanbul on Thursday "without any preconditions". Late on Wednesday, the Kremlin said the delegation would include presidential adviser Vladimir Medinsky and Deputy Defence Minister Alexander Fomin - but Putin's name was not on the list.

After the Kremlin's delegation announcement, a U.S. official said Trump, who is on a three-nation tour of the Middle East, would not attend. The U.S. leader had said earlier that he was considering the option to participate.

While Putin had never confirmed he would attend in person, the absence of the Russian and U.S. presidents lowers the expectations for a major breakthrough in the war that Russia started in February 2022.
Snip...

Read more: https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/putin-trump-skip-ukraines-peace-talks-that-russian-leader-proposed-2025-05-14/

[montanacowboy]

1. They are not now and never will be

serious about this
If I was Zelensky I would not attend. Fuck them they are playing him and he should stop playing their goddam games.

[Hornedfrog2000]

4. He wont

He, unlike them, doesnt have time to waste with games.

[Boomerproud]

6. There were pictures of Zelenskyy arriving for the talks

but I don't know if he stayed.

[RazorbackExpat]

8. I read somwhere that Zelenskyy was there for a couple of hours,

but Putin had sent some aide instead of attending himself, and it was all an exercise in futility

[NBachers]

2. I get an image of a tag team in a Vince McMahon Wrestlemania spectacle.

[democrank]

3. My guess.....

Putin and Trump have previous commitments. Putin has scheduled Trump’s annual Russian asset evaluation.

[Oopsie Daisy]

7. Sigh.