Sources report that Donald Trump, the former President of the United States, will not participate in the upcoming diplomatic negotiations between Russia and Ukraine scheduled for May 15 in Turkey
According to sources published in the reputable British outlet Sky News, an American official has officially stated that Trump has made the decision not to attend this important diplomatic meeting. This decision concerns not only his role in negotiations between the two conflicting countries but also his involvement in the relations with Russia and Ukraine within the context of this diplomatic initiative. The key reason for this decision, the publication notes, is Trump's awareness of the information regarding the composition of the Russian delegation participating in the negotiations. Reports emphasize that Moscow has published a list of participants that does not include Vladimir Putin’s name—instead, other representatives from Russia are listed. According to sources, this may indicate a weaker or symbolic role of the Kremlin in this diplomatic meeting. This action and Trump’s position come amid expectations and statements from Ukrainian leadership. For his part, President Volodymyr Zelensky, on May 14, in his video address, stated that Ukraine considers it important to obtain official information from Russia about who exactly will represent the aggressor country at the upcoming negotiations in Turkey. According to the Ukrainian leader, only after such an official disclosure will Ukraine determine its next steps. Zelensky also announced that a scheduled meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan will take place on Thursday in Ankara. At the same time, he emphasized that if the Kremlin agrees to send its main representative—Putin—to Istanbul, then he himself, together with Erdoğan, will soon visit the Turkish capital to discuss the further course of negotiations. In particular, the head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, Andriy Yermak, made another important point: in his words, Putin’s refusal to come to Turkey will serve as a clear and understandable signal to the international community of Russia’s unwillingness to end the bloodshed and return to peace negotiations. According to Yermak, this will be the final sign that the Kremlin continues to withdraw from diplomatic avenues of conflict resolution and deliberately drags out time, having no intention of making concessions. Thus, the situation around the upcoming negotiations in Turkey is becoming increasingly tense. The absence of high-ranking Russian leaders' visits and the clear stance of American politicians on one side, and Ukrainian leadership on the other, highlight the complexity and unpredictability of the diplomatic process ongoing around the war in Ukraine. The international community continues to monitor the situation, awaiting whether these negotiations can change the course of events and take the first step toward peace.