Despite anticipation for a significant diplomatic meeting between Ukraine and Russia in Turkey, hopes were dashed when key leaders chose not to attend. Initially, there was speculation that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin might meet in Istanbul for peace talks. The potential meeting had garnered attention due to the ongoing tensions between the two nations. President Zelenskyy faced international pressure, particularly from then-U.S. President Donald Trump, to attend the talks. Trump had urged Ukraine to engage with Russia, suggesting that a meeting could clarify whether a peace agreement was feasible. However, Zelenskyy was firm in his stance that he would only participate if President Putin was also in attendance. President Putin had earlier indicated a willingness to hold direct negotiations with Zelenskyy without any preconditions. However, as the talks approached, Putin's commitment to attending in person remained unclear. The Kremlin was noncommittal, with Putin's Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov dodging questions about the president's travel plans. When pressed by reporters, Peskov stated that Putin had other "work meetings" scheduled, and on the day of the talks, he confirmed that Putin would not be attending. Instead of Putin, the Russian delegation sent to Istanbul was led by presidential aide Vladimir Medinsky. It included other senior officials such as Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin, Deputy Defense Minister Alexander Fomin, and senior military official Igor Kostyukov. Despite Putin's absence, the Kremlin maintained that he had been involved in discussions with top Russian officials regarding the talks. On the U.S. side, it was announced that senior envoys Steve Witkoff and Keith Kellogg, along with Secretary of State Marco Rubio, would attend the talks. However, President Trump did not make the trip to Turkey. The absence of both Putin and Trump from the talks cast doubts on the potential for significant progress. Zelenskyy expressed skepticism about the meeting's prospects, citing uncertainty about the composition and authority of the Russian delegation. Arriving in Turkey to meet with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Zelenskyy remarked that the delegation sent by Russia seemed to lack the seriousness required for meaningful negotiations. He emphasized the importance of understanding the delegation's mandate and whether they possessed the authority to make decisions independently, given that ultimate decision-making power in Russia lies with Putin. The Ukrainian delegation included the country's foreign minister and officials from military intelligence and the presidency. Zelenskyy's cautious approach was influenced by the lack of clarity regarding the Russian delegation's intentions and capacity to negotiate in good faith. Meanwhile, Trump continued to advocate for the talks, emphasizing their importance in determining the feasibility of a peace deal. He suggested that even if no agreement were reached, the meeting could provide clarity for European leaders and the U.S. about the situation, allowing them to adjust their strategies accordingly. In summary, the anticipated peace talks in Turkey faced significant challenges due to the absence of Presidents Putin and Trump. The lack of high-level participation from Russia raised questions about the seriousness of their intentions. As a result, President Zelenskyy remained cautious, waiting to see how the situation would unfold before deciding on Ukraine's next steps in the diplomatic process.