European leaders accuse Putin of undermining peace talks in Istanbul

Leading diplomats from the European Union (EU) have accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of undermining the process by refusing to participate in peace negotiations planned for May 15 in Türkiye, aimed at ending the conflict with Ukraine.

The foreign ministers of France, Germany, Poland, Czechia, and Estonia made strong statements on the matter.

Delegations from the warring countries are already in Türkiye. The Ukrainian delegation is effectively headed by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, while the Russian delegation is led by Putin’s aide, Vladimir Medinsky.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot said that Zelenskyy showed good faith by coming to Türkiye, but where Putin should have been seated, there remained “an empty chair.”

Barrot stated, “Putin is trying to buy time, and it is clear that he does not want to enter into peace negotiations, despite US President Donald Trump expressing his readiness and willingness to mediate.”

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul made a similar statement. The Minister expressed, “Putin is exaggerating his position. The whole world expects him to finally fulfill the demand to sit at the negotiating table with a delegation appropriate to the seriousness of the situation.”

According to Wadephul, Zelenskyy’s willingness to engage in direct dialogue with Putin deserves respect, but the Russian side “is not showing a sign that it is approaching the negotiations seriously.” Wadephul warned that this behavior would not be without consequences and that Europe was discussing further sanctions.

On the other hand, Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski, speaking at a high-level meeting of NATO diplomats in Antalya, argued that the Kremlin’s decision to send a low-level delegation to the negotiations in Istanbul showed that Putin was “trying to buy time.”

Sikorski added, “We hope that the US President sees this cynicism for what it is and draws the right conclusions.”

Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský stated that Putin’s refusal to meet Zelenskyy directly in Istanbul showed the Russian President’s cowardice.

The Minister remarked, “The real question is whether this can be called a peace negotiation. Putin is clearly afraid. He sent one of the ideological figures, which in itself is a signal of how he is approaching this, meaning not very positively.”

Lipavský also added that his counterparts attending the informal meeting in Antalya expressed a shared view that Putin’s actions showed he did not want to take a step forward.

The Czech Minister said, “European leaders clearly stated that new sanctions could be forthcoming.”

Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna also criticized the level of the Russian delegation tasked with conducting the first direct talks with Kyiv in three years.

Tsahkna declared, “Russia’s rejection of a ceasefire and sending an ultra-nationalist with no political status to Istanbul instead of Putin is a slap in the face to Ukraine and its allies. Russia is still not interested in peace, which means we need to increase pressure.”

Lipavský and Barrot also shared a photo taken with US Senator Lindsey Graham. The two ministers reported that the congressman confirmed the US was ready to tighten sanctions on Russia if Putin continued to stand in the way of peace.

Putin had proposed the first direct talks between Russia and Ukraine since spring 2022 take place in Istanbul on May 15. This offer came in response to a demand from the US and EU countries for a 30-day ceasefire.

Zelenskyy had announced he was ready to meet Putin in person in Türkiye. However, the Russian President sent a delegation led by his aide, Medinsky.

The negotiation group also included Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin, Head of the Main Operations Directorate of the General Staff Igor Kostyukov, and Deputy Defense Minister Aleksandr Fomin.

Zelenskyy described the Russian delegation as “a show.” Ukraine was expected to be represented in the negotiations by Head of the Presidential Administration Andrey Yermak, Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, Deputy Head of the Presidential Administration Andrey Sibiga, and Presidential Diplomacy Advisor Igor Zhovkva. It was noted that Zelenskyy planned to attend the meeting only if Putin also participated.