Trump Surprised by Putin's Expected Absence at Istanbul Talks Amid Ukraine Conflict
In recent remarks, former President Donald Trump expressed his surprise over the absence of Russian President Vladimir Putin at the upcoming talks in Istanbul, Turkey, regarding the ongoing war in Ukraine. During a stop in Doha, Qatar, as part of his Middle East visit, Trump indicated that he didn't anticipate Putin attending the meeting, especially since he himself had no plans to go. "No, I didn't anticipate that Putin would go. In fact, I thought, why would he go if I'm not going?" Trump stated, underscoring his assumptions about the dynamic between the two leaders.
Trump's comments come amid a backdrop of speculation about the potential participation of both leaders in the talks, which Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is expected to be a part of. However, it has also been reported that Zelensky may choose to withdraw from the meetings, returning to Ukraine instead after his initial engagement with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Despite high-level officials from his administration hinting at the possibility of his attendance if Putin were to participate, Trump has firmly maintained that Turkey was not on his itinerary. "I didn’t think it was possible for Putin to go if I wasn’t there," he continued, although he did not entirely rule out the chance of being in Turkey if circumstances warranted it.
During a business event in Doha, Trump remarked on the importance of finding a resolution to the conflict, stating, "We have people negotiating, and I hope that Russia and Ukraine can do something because this has to stop—not just for money. We have heads, arms, legs scattered on the ground." His comments reflect a growing concern about the humanitarian toll of the war.
In response to Trump's remarks, the Kremlin confirmed that Putin would not be attending the Istanbul discussions. Instead, the Russian delegation will be led by presidential advisor Vladimir Medinski, who previously participated in the Istanbul negotiations in 2022—an effort that ended without significant progress.
As the situation remains fluid, observers will be watching closely to see if Zelensky ultimately decides to participate in the talks or if the absence of key figures like Putin and Trump will further complicate the negotiations aimed at resolving the conflict. The unfolding events underscore the challenges and complexities in diplomatic engagements regarding the war in Ukraine.
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