Kremlin Silent on Putin’s Attendance at Istanbul Peace Talks
The Kremlin has refused to confirm whether Russian President Vladimir Putin will attend scheduled negotiations with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Istanbul on May 15. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated that Moscow will announce its delegation only after receiving direct instructions from Putin, which have not yet been given.
The planned summit would mark the first direct talks between the two leaders since 2022, following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Zelenskyy has publicly called on Putin to meet in Turkiye, asserting that a no-show would indicate Moscow’s lack of interest in ending the war. The Ukrainian president is also set to meet Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and has invited U.S. President Donald Trump to join the talks.
Trump and Lula Join Efforts to Bring Putin to the Table
Donald Trump, currently on a diplomatic tour in the Middle East, stated there is a “possibility” he may travel to Turkiye for the peace discussions—if Putin confirms his attendance. Speaking aboard Air Force One, Trump noted that he believes Putin would be more likely to join the talks if he himself were present. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is already scheduled to travel to Istanbul on Friday, and Trump praised his effectiveness in international negotiations.
Meanwhile, Brazil’s President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva announced he will urge Putin to attend the summit during a stop in Moscow following a forum in China. Lula emphasized the importance of direct negotiations and criticized the prolonged conflict, stating bluntly: “Go to Istanbul and negotiate, dammit.”
France’s Macron Sparks Tensions Over Nuclear Security
While diplomatic efforts intensify, French President Emmanuel Macron stirred controversy with remarks about deploying nuclear-armed bombers across Europe. Speaking to TF1, Macron noted that the U.S. already stations such weapons in countries like Germany, Italy, and Turkiye, and suggested France is open to broader European nuclear discussions. The Kremlin criticized these comments, warning that nuclear proliferation will not enhance regional stability.
France remains the EU’s only nuclear power, and Macron’s remarks reflect growing security debates within the bloc in the aftermath of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
