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Key Points
- Vladimir Putin has opted not to meet directly with Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Türkiye, opting to send a delegation of lower status instead.
- Donald Trump argues that progress is impossible without a direct meeting between him and Putin.
- Russia persists in demanding that Ukraine cede territory, adopt a stance of neutrality, and give up on NATO aspirations.
Zelenskyy criticized Putin’s choice to abstain from attending, instead sending what he described as a “superficial” delegation, as evidence that the Russian leader was not serious about resolving the conflict.
“I perceive disrespect from Russia. No schedule, no agenda, no high-level team — this is a personal snub. To Erdoğan, to Trump,” Zelenskyy conveyed to the press.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy (right) met with Türkiye’s President Tayyip Erdoğan. Source: Getty / Murat Cetinmuhurda
Zelenskyy said he would also now not go to Istanbul and that his team’s mandate was to discuss a ceasefire.
Both Trump and Putin have said for months they are keen to meet each other, but no date has been set.
Describing the negotiations as a “logjam,” Rubio announced his plans to travel to Istanbul to engage with Türkiye’s foreign minister and Ukraine’s representatives on Friday.
Washington has threatened repeatedly to abandon its mediation efforts unless there is clear progress.
It includes a deputy defence minister, a deputy foreign minister and the head of military intelligence.