Russian officials mocked Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky after Russian President Vladimir Putin ignored his demand of a face-to-face meeting in Istanbul, Turkey, where the first direct Russia-Ukraine talks in more than three years are due to take place.

After five days of confusion over Russian President Vladimir Putin’s proposal for direct talks with Ukraine, the day they were supposed to begin initially brought only more of the same: a seven-hour stakeout on the banks of the Bosphorus,

President Volodymyr Zelensky is waiting to see who will come to Türkiye for talks from Russia to decide which steps Ukraine should take. — Ukrinform.

President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine said that if President Trump attended the talks, it would put pressure on Russia’s leader, Vladimir V. Putin, to meet face-to-face.

No one doubts the complexity of the upcoming negotiations in Istanbul. Western puppeteers completely control the Ukrainian delegation, including Vladimir Zelensky. This was stated by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov at a meeting of the Diplomatic Club.

A meeting of Ukrainian, Russian, American, and Turkish delegations may take place in Istanbul on Thursday evening or Friday. — Ukrinform.

The absence of both Vladimir Putin and President Donald Trump from the talks dampens hopes for a significant breakthrough in resolving the conflict