VLADMIR Putin will not attend the crunch Russia-Ukraine peace talks in Istanbul this week, snubbing President Zelensky.

The list for the Russian delegation at Thursday’s meeting was released by the Kremlin – and Putin’s name was a glaring omission.

Zelensky had challenged Putin to meet him face-to-face to hammer out a deal, but Putin has chosen to dodge the path to peace once again.

Soon after it became clear that Putin would not be attending, a US official confirmed that Trump would also skip the event, despite earlier suggestions that he might participate.

It’s not clear whether Zelensky will still go to Istanbul.

Speaking on Air Force One on Wednesday, Trump said: “[Putin] would like me to be there, and that’s a possibility.

“I don’t know that he would be there if I’m not there. We’re going to find out.”

Russia is still dispatching a team of high-ranking figures, including a presidential advisor, leading diplomat, and senior military and intelligence personnel, but Putin’s absence is notable.

Turning up would have been an indication that he is taking the peace process seriously.

His absence will fuel the belief that Putin is not actually interested in ending the war – as Zelensky has said many times.