Kremlin Stays Mum on Whether Putin Will Meet Zelensky

[ad_1] The Kremlin declined to say on Tuesday whether or not President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia would attend talks with Ukraine’s chief this week, after President Trump floated the potential for attending himself to push for a peace deal.

Over the weekend, Mr. Putin known as for direct talks with Ukraine, whereas ignoring calls for by Kyiv and its allies to conform to a direct cease-fire by Monday or face additional sanctions. Mr. Trump then implored Ukraine to take the assembly, and President Volodymyr Zelensky mentioned he would journey to Turkey to attend personally — difficult Mr. Putin to do the identical.

However when requested on Tuesday who would lead Russia’s delegation for the talks, the Kremlin spokesman wouldn't remark.

“As quickly because the president sees it match, we are going to announce” the delegation’s make-up, the spokesman, Dmitri S. Peskov, advised Russian information businesses.

Mr. Trump’s suggestion on Monday that he, too, may journey to Turkey raised the stakes for the talks, that are anticipated to happen on Thursday in Istanbul.

The Trump administration has been rising more and more annoyed with the shortage of progress in its efforts to dealer a cease-fire between Russia and Ukraine. Mr. Trump just lately questioned whether or not Mr. Putin actually wished to finish the battle.

Andriy Yermak, the Ukrainian president’s chief of workers, mentioned on Tuesday that Mr. Trump had made clear that he “expects” each Mr. Zelensky and Mr. Putin to be current for talks in Turkey.

“I consider that if Vladimir Putin refuses to return to Turkey, it is going to be the ultimate sign that Russia doesn't wish to finish this battle — that Russia is neither keen nor prepared for any negotiations,” Mr. Yermak mentioned in an announcement.

Kyiv’s European allies have additionally been ramping up stress on Moscow to conform to an unconditional 30-day truce, a proposal made by the USA in early March that Ukraine instantly accepted. On a go to to Kyiv over the weekend, European leaders mentioned that Mr. Putin had till the top of Monday to agree and that if it didn't, additional sanctions could be imposed.