Trump declines Russia-Ukraine peace talks in Istanbul, downplays Putin’s absence

President Donald Trump announced on Thursday that he would not be attending the Russia-Ukraine peace talks in Istanbul, despite initially pushing for a meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Trump downplayed Putin’s decision not to attend, citing scheduling conflicts as the reason for his absence.

During a business roundtable in Doha as part of his four-day tour of the region, Trump expressed his thoughts on Putin’s decision, stating, “I actually said, why would he go if I’m not going? I didn’t think it was possible for Putin to go if I’m not there.” He also mentioned that Secretary of State Marco Rubio and special envoy Steve Witkoff were already in Istanbul for meetings with NATO counterparts.

The push for direct talks between Zelenskyy and Putin comes amidst ongoing negotiations aimed at reaching a ceasefire agreement between Russia and Ukraine. Putin had proposed restarting peace talks with Ukraine in Istanbul, to which Zelenskyy challenged him to meet in person. However, the Kremlin announced that Putin’s aide, Vladimir Medinsky, would lead the Russian delegation at the talks, causing Zelenskyy to insist on meeting only with Putin.

In his remarks in Doha, Trump emphasized the urgency of ending the Russia-Ukraine conflict, expressing concern over the lives lost and money spent on the war effort. He criticized the lack of accountability in the allocation of funds, highlighting the need for transparency in financial transactions related to the conflict.

Regarding Zelenskyy’s previous visits to the United States, Trump praised him as a skilled negotiator, noting the significant financial support Ukraine received during his visits. He also mentioned tensions that arose during Zelenskyy’s visit to the White House in February, as well as his meetings with Vice President JD Vance.

Later in the day, Trump planned to visit a U.S. installation in Qatar, a key location for American involvement in the Middle East. Throughout his visit to Gulf states, he reiterated his stance against past American interventionism in the region.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Bradford Betz, a Fox News Digital breaking reporter covering crime and political issues, authored this article.