What If Putin Refuses to Meet Zelenskyy in Istanbul? Potential Consequences for Peace Talks

 Can you imagine that – there is talk of a possible meeting between Putin and Zelenskyy in Istanbul, maybe tomorrow on the 15th of May. What if Putin does not go?

While the war is still going on, many people hope the two leaders will talk face-to-face. Zelenskyy has said many times he is ready to meet with Putin. He believes a real meeting could help end the war.

Putin also says he supports direct talks. However when it’s time to meet Zelenskyy, he usually doesn’t show up. He sends others instead, like his Foreign Minister. This has happened before.

Why does that matter?

Because the people he sends might not be able to make big decisions. Without Putin in the room, peace talks don’t go very far.

Some say Putin thinks he is too important to meet Zelenskyy. But that seems strange since he meets other world leaders, like when he went to Mongolia last year.

Back in March 2022, Zelenskyy asked to meet him directly. Again, Putin didn’t come. Nothing changed.

So if he doesn’t show up in Istanbul, it won’t be a surprise. But it will feel like another missed chance to stop the war. Still, there’s always a small chance he might come.