Why Putin avoids Istanbul talks with Zelenskyy and Trump — Expert explains
Peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine may not take place, as Putin is opposed to the «three-against-one» format.
Follow us on Google
Why Putin is afraid of meeting with Trump, Erdogan and Zelenskyy / © Associated Press / © Associated Press
Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin may ignore the talks in Istanbul due to fear of international pressure.
This was stated by Oleksandr Leonov, Executive Director of the Center for Applied Political Studies «Penta, ” on the air of „Kyiv 24.“
According to the expert, Russian president Vladimir Putin is likely to avoid participating in peace negotiations in Istanbul because he fears that Western leaders will pressure him to end the hostilities.
He noted that a «three-against-one» meeting format creates an uncomfortable configuration for the Kremlin. In the past, such a format might have resulted in pressure not so much on Moscow as on Kyiv. But now, the situation has fundamentally changed, Leonov said.
Leonov suggested that this is why Putin will likely refuse to take part in such a summit.
«If Donald Trump, Erdoğan, the Ukrainian president, and the Russian dictator are all present, the situation has now changed — it would be a „three against one“ format. Let’s recall how, at the beginning of the year, many were reasonably concerned that, for example, a meeting between Volodymyr Zelensky and Putin in Trump’s presence might mean two-against-one pressure. And now the situation really has changed. I believe that’s why Putin will try to distance himself as much as possible from the possibility of attending, ” the expert said.
Meanwhile, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan confirmed during a government meeting Ankara’s readiness to host negotiations aimed at ending the war that Russia is waging against Ukraine.