Ukraine’s supporters in Europe and Washington expect a summit Thursday in Turkey, proposed by Russian President Vladimir Putin, to fall apart and convince President Trump that Moscow is an untrustworthy partner.

Putin on Sunday proposed direct negotiations with Ukraine in Istanbul. Late Wednesday, the Kremlin announced its delegation for Turkey, but it did not appear to include any of the high-level Russian officials who had previously met with U.S. negotiators. The list also did not include Putin himself.

Trump earlier this week pressed Ukraine to attend the talks, which Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he would do only if Putin was “not afraid” and showed up, setting up a potential diplomatic standoff.

While Trump wants the two sides to sign up to an immediate 30-day ceasefire, a proposal Zelensky backs, Putin said he wants talks to start first before any details of a ceasefire are discussed.

On Wednesday, Trump, who is visiting the Middle East this week, floated traveling to Turkey himself.

“[Putin would] like me to be there, and that's a possibility. ... I don't know that he would be there if I'm not there. We're going to find out,” Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One while flying to Qatar.

The Russian delegation that was announced Wednesday appeared to be a low-level diplomatic team that included deputy ministers in the Foreign Affairs and Defense departments in addition to an aide to Putin. A separate Russian team of technical experts is also being dispatched to Istanbul, Russian state media reported Wednesday.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio is traveling to Istanbul to meet with European partners to discuss support for Ukraine.

Many are........

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