**Putin No-Shows in Istanbul: What it Means for Ukraine**
In a sudden turn of events, Russian President Vladimir Putin will not be attending a highly anticipated meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on May 15 in Istanbul. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirmed the development, saying that Putin would not be part of the Russian delegation.
This decision comes as a surprise, given the significance of this meeting. The Kremlin had kept details about Putin’s participation under wraps until the last minute, releasing a list of attendees just hours before the scheduled talks. The list included high-ranking officials such as Vladimir Medinsky, presidential aide; Mikhail Galuzin, Deputy Foreign Minister; Igor Kostyukov, Military Intelligence Director; and Alexander Fomin, Deputy Defense Minister.
So, what does this mean for Ukraine? The absence of Putin from these talks is a significant development. Analysts believe that it may indicate a shift in Russia’s strategy on the Ukrainian conflict. With the Kremlin-led delegation led by lesser-known officials, one can speculate whether Moscow is trying to downplay the importance of these negotiations or perhaps avoid direct confrontation with Zelensky.
Ukrainian President Zelensky has already arrived in Ankara for talks with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. While this meeting may not be as high-profile without Putin’s involvement, it could still yield important discussions on regional security and ongoing conflicts.
As tensions between Russia and Ukraine continue to simmer, the absence of Putin from these talks raises more questions than answers. Will this development lead to a shift in Russia’s stance on Ukraine? Or is Moscow simply trying to maintain a low profile?
**Stay tuned for updates as this story continues to unfold.**
Read More @ kyivindependent.com
