Russia's Absence Hinders Ukraine Peace Talks Between Presidents Zelensky and Putin
Published on 5.21.25
The ongoing conflict in Ukraine has been a major point of contention between Russia and the international community, with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky accusing Moscow of lacking a clear will to end the war. This sentiment is echoed by European leaders, who have criticized Russian President Vladimir Putin for skipping talks with Ukraine.
Ukraine's Defence Minister Rustem Umerov led the negotiations on behalf of Kyiv, which sought an "unconditional ceasefire" to bring an end to Europe's deadliest conflict since World War II. The fact that Ukraine is open to negotiations in any format suggests a willingness to engage with Russia, but the absence of Putin has been seen as a significant obstacle.
NATO chief Mark Rutte described it as a "big mistake", highlighting the importance of direct communication between leaders. The contrast between Zelensky's optimism about meeting with Russian officials and Putin's decision not to attend himself underscores the complexities of international relations in this context.