Putin Skips Crucial Istanbul Talks: Ukraine's Conditions for Peace Negotiations

Putin's Absence from Istanbul Talks Sparks Speculation: Zelensky's Advisor Sets Conditions for Negotiations On May 13, 2025, reports emerged that Russian President Vladimir Putin would not be attending the planned peace talks in Istanbul on May 15. The news, first reported by Gulagu.net, immediately raised questions about the future of negotiations between Russia and Ukraine. According to the source, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Yuri Ushakov, the Kremlin's chief foreign policy advisor, are expected to attend in Putin's place. Mykhailo Podolyak, an advisor to the head of the Ukrainian presidential office, confirmed Ukraine's stance that negotiations will only take place with Putin directly involved. "This is not a format for talks without Putin," Podolyak stated in an interview. The absence of Putin, a key figure in the conflict, casts doubt on the effectiveness of the upcoming talks. The video also explored the potential role of Donald Trump and the main points of discussion, including territorial disputes and the status of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant. The situation remains fluid and further developments are awaited.