Russia will not send representatives to the upcoming talks on Ukraine set to take place in Turkey on November 19, the Kremlin announced on Tuesday. The statement came shortly after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy confirmed his plans to travel to Turkey to push for renewed peace negotiations aimed at ending the war.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters that “no Russian representatives will be in Turkey tomorrow,” adding that current discussions are happening “without Russian participation.” Despite the absence, Peskov said President Vladimir Putin remains open to hearing from both the US and Turkey about the outcomes of the talks.
U.S. Envoy to Attend Istanbul Meeting
A Turkish government source said US special envoy Steve Witkoff is expected to take part in the discussions. However, Putin’s envoy Kirill Dmitriev will not attend. A source close to Dmitriev noted that he had already held “very productive discussions” with Witkoff in the US between October 24 and 26.
Turkey, a NATO member maintaining strong diplomatic ties with both Russia and Ukraine, has served as a key mediator since the early stages of the conflict in 2022. Despite hosting several negotiation rounds, progress toward a ceasefire or peace framework has largely stalled.
Diplomacy Falters Amid New Sanctions
Efforts to revive dialogue have faced new obstacles in recent weeks. Last month, US President Donald Trump imposed sanctions on Russian oil companies Lukoil and Rosneft, accusing Moscow of obstructing the peace process.
Ankara continues to promote itself as a neutral venue for potential future talks, with Turkish officials stressing the importance of maintaining communication channels between all sides. However, without Russia’s direct participation, expectations for major breakthroughs remain low.
(with inputs from Reuters)
