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Peace talks between Russia and Ukraine are slated to get underway today in Turkey without

Russian President Vladimir Putin.

He did not make the trip.

Ukraine's president, Volodomir Zelensky, did travel to Turkey and says the absence of Putin

for direct talks shows Moscow is not serious about ending the war. NPR's Charles Mainz has more.

The negotiations mark the first between Moscow and Kiev since the early months of

the Russian invasion more than three years ago. The plan meeting was derailed by news Russian

President. Vladimir Putin would skip the event, instead dispatching mid-level technocrats to negotiate.

The move clearly angered Ukrainian president, Lodomir Zelensky, who had traveled to Turkey and

challenged Putin to do the same. Instead, Zelensky, who had traveled to Turkey and challenged Putin to do the

same. Instead, Zelensky said a lower-level Ukrainian delegation would engage with the Russian team.

Meanwhile, President Trump, who had indicated he might attend if it brought the two sides closer,

now says diplomatic progress to end the war remains unlikely until he and Putin meet face-to-face.

Charles Mainz andPR News, Moscow.

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