Preparations are underway for a planned meeting between Ukrainian and Russian officials in Istanbul on Thursday (May 15).

Although Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky has announced he will be present at the meeting, the attendance of Russian President Vladimir Putin remains a question mark.

US President Donald Trump had offered to add Istanbul as a stop on his Middle Eastern tour of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar “if it would be useful.” On Tuesday afternoon, however, Trump closed the door on the possibility of an Istanbul visit.

The US President’s tour of the three Gulf states kicked off today when he landed in the Saudi capital of Riyadh.

While Zelensky has publicly expressed his wishes that Putin personally attend the meeting, the presence of the Russian leader and upper echelon of Kremlin officials is uncertain amidst pending arrest warrants from the........

© Medyascope