In an unexpected move, US President Donald Trump stood up for Vladimir Putin at the Turkey peace negotiations, even when the Russian leader avoided them. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine showed up in Ankara hoping to have direct talks.
But Vladimir Putin dispatched a low-level delegation and rejected the 30-day ceasefire demand supported by the United States. Nevertheless, Trump supported Putin’s action, leaving Zelenskyy politically vulnerable and diplomatically undermined.
Trump Shrugs Off Putin’s No-Show
US President Donald Trump played down Vladimir Putin’s absence. He said that there was no need for the Russian leader to come to Turkey talks. “Why would he go if I’m not going? I would go, but I wasn’t planning to go,” Trump told reporters on Thursday.
Vladimir Putin initially suggested the direct negotiations, leading Zelenskyy to acquiesce and demand leader-level talks. Putin then skipped the summit and refused the ceasefire. Zelenskyy also invited Trump to the talks. Trump only indicated that he could go “if something happened” on Friday.
Zelenskyy Finds Himself Alone Again
Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s direct diplomacy bet has failed. His invitations for a US-blessed ceasefire and high-level talks now seem like hollow offers. Trump’s constant stand for Putin has left Ukraine all the more alone.
Vladimir Putin has spurned three Trump-supported ceasefire overtures. He also discredited a peace proposal that yielded significant concessions to Russia. Nevertheless, Trump still takes the side of Putin and not Ukraine.
Trump Turns Against Ukraine
Donald Trump’s rhetoric has only become more vitriolic. Trump refers to Zelenskyy as an “unelected dictator,” faults Ukraine for initiating the war, and echoes Russian disinformation. Trump also withheld vital military and intelligence assistance, letting Russia advance in the Kursk region.
Trump’s approach has undermined decades of bipartisan US foreign policy. He has drawn America closer to Russia while attacking Ukraine and NATO.
Earlier in the week, Zelenskyy seemed to have backed Putin into a corner. If Putin showed up, he’d be giving Zelenskyy and Ukraine legitimacy. If he stayed away, he’d appear weak. But Trump came to the rescue. Now, Putin will avoid embarrassment — and Zelenskyy appears alone.
Turkey Talks Continue, But Expectations Crash
Regardless of Putin’s no-show, Russia and Ukraine will have lower-level discussions in Istanbul on Friday. The Russian team is headed by assistant Vladimir Medinsky and contains two deputy ministers. The Ukrainian side is led by Defence Minister Rustem Umerov.
Zelenskyy said that the talks have “no agenda” and entail “no high-level delegation.” He labeled Russia’s approach “unserious.
Medinsky, though, intends to insist on Moscow’s tough conditions. He added that peace would only be achieved by solving the “root causes” of the conflict — code for radical Russian demands such as regime change in Ukraine, restrictions on Ukrainian sovereignty, and the legitimation of occupied lands.
While Trump empowers Putin and ignores Ukraine, the way to peace appears shallow. Negotiations go on, but tangible advancement appears out of reach. Zelenskyy is increasingly isolated, with Putin having the support of the very nation once united with Kyiv.
