Trump predicts no progress during Ukraine peace negotiations, with Putin's absence evident

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In a dramatic twist of geopolitical chess, high-stakes peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine, proposed by Vladimir Putin, hit a wobbly road Thursday. The Kremlin confirmed Putin wouldn't join the discussions, and President Trump added that nothing would take place unless both leaders attended.

The talks, initially set for Thursday in Ankara, Turkey, were later rescheduled for Friday due to uncertainties surrounding the start date, location, and participants. Hundreds of journalists and crew gathered at Ottoman-era Dolmabahçe Palace in Istanbul with ambiguity surrounding the commencement of the negotiations.

Leading up to the talks, there were whispers about a possible three-way meeting involving Trump, Putin, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, which ultimately didn't materialize.

While flying to the United Arab Emirates, Trump shared his thoughts on the importance of his and Putin's meeting: “Look, nothing’s going to happen until Putin and I get together, OK?" He further explained that Putin wasn't leading the delegation since Trump decided to skip the talks. "He wasn't going if I wasn't there."

Later on Thursday, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that he would confer with the Ukrainian delegation in Istanbul on Friday. In line with Trump’s sentiments, Rubio asserted that the involvement of both leaders would be vital for any breakthrough in the ongoing war.

Rubio also mentioned that the U.S. would decide on timing for a potential meeting between Trump and Putin following the Friday talks. He stated that Trump is open to “sticking with” the process for as long as it takes to achieve peace.

Contradicting Rubio’s comments, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told CNN that Putin wouldn't attend the talks in Turkey. Peskov added that there were no preparations for meetings between Putin and Trump in the immediate future.

Just prior to Putin's refusal, Zelenskyy had traveled to Ankara, planning to meet with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and potentially American diplomats. In a briefing, Zelenskyy expressed doubt over the Russian delegation's capabilities, stating, "We must understand the level of the Russian delegation and what mandate they have."

In lieu of the senior-level Russian team initially expected, Putin instead sent a less prominent group led by Kremlin aide Vladimir Medinsky and Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin. This move amplified concerns in Ukraine and Europe that Putin may not take Trump's peace-brokering attempts seriously.

Meanwhile, outside the Dolmabahçe Palace, American personnel were still prepping a venue for a U.S. delegation, indicating an ongoing readiness for negotiations.

Bizarre Sidelights

In a chilling turn of events, beauty influencer Valeria Marquez was shot dead during a TikTok live stream in Mexico earlier this week[4]. Her death came as a shock to her more than 3.6 million followers.
The Trump franchise, in its bid for Middle Eastern expansion, has faced increasing ethical concerns[5]. The potential for unchecked dealings and questionable partnerships could complicate the region's already delicate political landscape.

CNN, “Ukraine, Russia Agree on Prisoner Swap in First Direct Talks Since February,” May 16, 2025. https://www.cnn.com/2025/05/16/europe/ukraine-russia-peace-talks-intl/index.html
AP News, “Ukraine-Russia Peace Talks End With No Major Breakthrough,” May 16, 2025. https://apnews.com/article/65272ea285c34af6987c034e7ac3189d
NBC News, “Trump: 'Nothing' Happening Without His Involvement in Peace Talks,” May 12, 2025. https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald-trump/trump-nothing-s-happening-unless-putin-i-get-together-ok-rcna13985
Associated Press, “Beauty Influencer Valeria Marquez Shot to Death During TikTok Live Stream,” May 11, 2025. https://apnews.com/article/6f678c6fea8e42d0a92a2a312a420dfe
The New York Times, “Middle East Peace: Trump Businesses’ Dubai Expansion Faces Ethical Quandaries,” May 10, 2025. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/10/business/trump-business-middle-east.html

In light of the ongoing war-and-conflicts between Ukraine and Russia, the capital's politics have become increasingly significant, with leaders such as President Trump and President Zelenskyy actively pursuing potential breakthroughs. Despite high-stakes peace negotiations initially being proposed by Russian President Vladimir Putin, doubts about their success have arisen due to uncertainties surrounding the participants and location. The U.S., specifically Secretary of State Marco Rubio, has emphasized the importance of both Presidents' involvement for any meaningful progress. Meanwhile, in the world of general-news, concerns about ethical issues have surfaced concerning the Trump franchise's Middle East expansion, potentially adding complexity to the already delicate political landscape.

Trump predicts no progress during Ukraine peace negotiations, with Putin's absence evident