Peace summit in Istanbul concludes: Expected names did not attend!

The peace summit planned to take place in Istanbul between Russia, Ukraine, the US, and Turkey remained limited to lower-level delegations due to Putin's failure to attend. Representatives from Russia, Ukraine, the US, and Turkey participated in the first round of talks that began in the morning at Dolmabahçe Palace. However, the expected leader-level contacts did not take place.

TRUMP DID NOT COME EITHER

Putin's absence also affected US President Donald Trump. Trump did not attend the meetings in Istanbul and stated, "We will see what happens between Ukraine and Russia. Now it is time to go home." Arguing that no progress could be made without direct talks with Putin, Trump said, "We will meet with Putin at the earliest time we can arrange."

"WE CANNOT CHASE AFTER PUTIN"

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky moved to Istanbul following his meeting with President Erdoğan in Ankara the previous day. However, arguing that Russia was participating with only a "window-dressing" delegation, he did not attend the meetings and returned to his country by plane.

Zelensky announced that the Minister of Defense would represent Ukraine at the summit. Evaluating Russia's failure to offer a serious agenda, schedule, or high-level participation as "disrespectful," Zelensky used the expression, "We cannot chase after Putin all over the world."

MICHAEL ANTON HEADS THE US DELEGATION

In the absence of US President Trump, the Washington administration sent a delegation to Istanbul headed by Policy Planning Director Michael Anton. Following Anton, who chaired the first round of talks, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio will take over the delegation management in the second round. Rubio landed in Istanbul in the morning hours.

In his statement before the meetings, Rubio said he did not have "great expectations" regarding the summit.

MESSAGE FROM RUSSIA: "WE ARE READY TO TALK"

Head of the Russian delegation Vladimir Medinsky made a statement via Telegram before the contacts in Istanbul, saying, "We are ready to work. We are waiting for the Ukrainian representatives." Medinsky also announced that they held a "productive meeting" with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan last night.

TURKEY HOSTS THE TALKS, ERDOĞAN IS IN TIRANA

The highest-level participation from Turkey, which is hosting the meetings in Istanbul, was at the level of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan departed for Tirana, the capital of Albania, while the peace talks were ongoing. Erdoğan is attending the European Political Community Summit, which brings together the European Union and allied countries.

TALKS WILL CONTINUE, FORMAT MAY CHANGE

Following the first round of talks that began at 10:45, the parties will come together again at 12:45. While it is stated that the delegations will meet in different formats, it is expressed that bilateral or trilateral contacts may also come to the agenda in the coming hours.