Russian President Vladimir Putin opted not to attend the Ukraine peace talks in Turkey on Thursday, instead dispatching aides and deputy ministers to represent Russia. This move came after Putin proposed direct negotiations in Istanbul last Sunday, a challenge Kyiv’s President Volodymyr Zelenskiy had accepted, expecting Putin’s personal presence.

Following days of uncertainty about Putin’s plans, the Kremlin announced a delegation late Wednesday, notably excluding the president himself. Ukraine has yet to publicly confirm its participation or name representatives, leaving the response unclear.

Confusion surrounded the talks in Istanbul, with reporters gathering near the designated Dolmabahce palace offices but receiving no details from Turkish officials on timing or exact location. Russian news agency TASS claimed the talks would begin at 0700 GMT, but a Ukrainian official denied any agreement on timing.

Zelenskiy, scheduled to meet Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan on Thursday, had insisted earlier that he would only negotiate with Putin directly, challenging the Russian leader’s courage to appear.

The Kremlin, under increasing pressure from potential new European sanctions aimed at crippling Russia’s economy, dismissed ultimatums as ineffective. The last face-to-face talks between the two sides occurred in Istanbul in March 2022, shortly after Russia’s invasion.

Both sides appear motivated to demonstrate seriousness about peace to then U.S. President Donald Trump, who has urged an end to “this stupid war” and threatened to withdraw diplomatic support if progress stalls. Trump’s frustration with both leaders, particularly Putin, has grown, with talk of additional sanctions targeting Russian trade. On a Middle East tour, Trump stated he might attend the Turkey talks if appropriate.

Putin’s absence dampens hopes for a breakthrough in what is Europe’s deadliest conflict since World War II. Zelenskiy advocates for an immediate 30-day ceasefire, while Putin demands preliminary talks to negotiate truce terms.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, speaking at a NATO meeting in Turkey, reiterated there is no military solution and noted Trump’s openness to nearly any peace mechanism.

The Russian delegation, led by presidential adviser Vladimir Medinsky and including deputy ministers and the head of military intelligence, is seen as lacking decisive authority. A source familiar with the March 2022 Istanbul talks noted that key decision-makers might not be present at the table.

Estonia, a staunch Ukraine supporter and NATO member, condemned Russia’s delegation as a “slap in the face.”

With Russian forces occupying nearly 20% of Ukrainian territory, Putin remains firm on demands for Ukraine to relinquish land, abandon NATO aspirations, and declare neutrality. Ukraine rejects these terms as surrender, seeking security guarantees from global powers, especially the United States.