Russian President Vladimir Putin has decided not to join the upcoming peace talks with Ukraine, even though he suggested them last week. Instead, he has chosen a team of experienced negotiators to represent Russia in the discussions.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had earlier said he would only attend if Mr. Putin himself joined the talks. Despite that, the Kremlin confirmed on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, that Mr. Putin will not be attending.
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The Russian delegation includes officials who were part of earlier talks after Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022. These officials are:
- Vladimir Medinsky, a presidential adviser
- Alexander Fomin, Deputy Defence Minister
- Igor Kostyukov, head of Russia’s military intelligence agency (GRU)
- Mikhail Galuzin, Deputy Foreign Minister
These talks are another attempt to find a peaceful solution to the ongoing war. Previous talks in 2022, held in Belarus and Turkey, ended without an agreement.
Also See: The West Looked Away. Putin Didn’t. What That Says About Global Hypocrisy
This new round of negotiations raises hopes, but the absence of both presidents may affect the outcome.
