Putin and Trump Skip Peace Summit, Zelenskyy Sends Minister of Defence

Ukraine Peace Summit: Putin and Trump's Absence Fuels Zelenskyy's Concerns. A peace summit in Turkey aimed at resolving the conflict between Russia and Ukraine took an unexpected turn with the absence of key players, Russian President Vladimir Putin and former US President Donald Trump. This unexpected development left Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy deeply disappointed and questioning Russia's commitment to peace talks. Despite expressing a willingness to engage in talks, Putin's absence cast a shadow over the proceedings. His spokesperson, Dmitry Peskov, offered a brief explanation, stating that Putin had prior work commitments. Zelenskyy's reaction was immediate and pointed. He stated that he would only participate if the Russian president was present in person. In a show of determination, Zelenskyy announced that he would send his Minister of Defence to Istanbul, signaling his intent to continue the peace process despite the setback. Meanwhile, Donald Trump, who had previously urged the meeting, opted not to attend, sending his own delegation. Zelenskyy's decision to send a delegation, while expressing skepticism about Russia's commitment, underscores the complexities and uncertainties of the peace process. His statement, "Estoy esperando a ver quién viene de Rusia, y entonces decidiré qué pasos debe dar Ucrania," highlights the cautious optimism and underlying tensions. The events in Turkey serve as a reminder of the delicate balance and high stakes involved in achieving lasting peace in the region.