Istanbul — it’s where Asia meets Europe, but as we now know, not where Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will meet Russian President Vladimir Putin. The world's media descended on the Turkish city on May 15,

Vladimir Medinsky, the head of Russia's delegation at peace talks on Ukraine in Turkey, said on Thursday that Moscow's aim was to secure a long-lasting peace with Kyiv by looking for common ground and removing the reasons for the conflict.

Hakan Fidan holds talks with team led by Putin's aide Vladimir Medinsky at Istanbul’s Dolmabahce Palace, says Foreign Ministry - Anadolu Ajansı

U.S. President Donald Trump said Thursday he was not surprised that Russian President Vladimir Putin will be a no-show for anticipated peace talks with Ukraine in Turkey this week. Trump, who had pressed for Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to meet in Istanbul,

As he heads to Turkey for negotiations, Zelensky is betting that Trump will soon realize that Russia does not want to make peace.

The Russian delegation has been waiting for the Ukrainian delegation for almost a day in Istanbul, while the head of the Kiev regime, Vladimir Zelensky, is putting on a show in Ankara. This was stated by the official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry Maria Zakharova.

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva said he will urge Russian President Vladimir Putin to attend peace talks with Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

TASS/. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has sharply criticized Vladimir Zelensky, dismissing him as a "nothing man" in response to Zelensky’s demand for Russian President Vladimir Putin’s personal presence at upcoming talks in Istanbul on Ukraine.