Putin, Trump to skip Ukraine peace talks in Istanbul

U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin indicated they would not attend what could be the first direct peace talks between Moscow and Kyiv in three years on Thursday in Istanbul, Reuters reports.

Putin on Sunday proposed direct negotiations with Ukraine in Istanbul on Thursday "without any preconditions". Late on Wednesday, the Kremlin said the delegation would include presidential adviser Vladimir Medinsky and Deputy Defence Minister Alexander Fomin.

After the Kremlin's delegation announcement, a U.S. official said Trump, who is on a three-nation tour of the Middle East, would not attend, Reuters reports.

The U.S. leader had said earlier that he was considering the option to participate, according to Reuters.

Putin had never confirmed he would attend in person.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy had challenged Putin to attend the talks "if he's not afraid," in an apparent contest to show Trump who wants peace more, Ukraine or Russia.

The Ukrainian leader said he would take part in the talks only if Putin attended.

Zelenskiy backs an immediate 30-day ceasefire, but Putin has said he first wants to start talks at which the details of such a ceasefire could be discussed.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio also traveled to Istanbul for the talks.