The Ukrainian president likened Russian negotiators dispatched to Istanbul to “theater props,” as direct talks between both sides remain uncertain.

President Volodymyr Zelensky considers his arrival in Turkey to be a “clear message” for Russian President Vladimir Putin. — Ukrinform.

President Volodymyr Zelensky's meeting with his Turkish counterpart, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, began in Ankara on May 15, Turkey's state news agency Anadolu reported.

Ukraine had framed Zelensky's demand for a face-to-face meeting with Putin as a test of Russia's true willingness to negotiate peace. Arriving in Turkey, he slammed the Russian delegation as "theatrical" and contrasted it to Ukraine's high-level group.

Russian President Vladimir Putin will not visit Istanbul for a meeting with President Volodymyr Zelensky on May 15, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said.

The Ukrainian and Russian delegations arrived in different Turkish cities. President Vladimir V. Putin was not there. Neither was President Trump.

The Ukrainian delegation has already left Ankara for Istanbul for talks with Russia. This was stated at a press conference by the head of the Kiev regime, Vladimir Zelensky.

The absence of Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump from the talks has dampened hopes of a significant breakthrough in resolving the conflict.