Neither Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky or Russian President Vladimir Putin are attending peace talks in Istanbul after days of confusion. In a meeting in Albania, Zelensky said Putin was “afraid” to come to Turkey for talks and that Russian delegation in Istanbul is of a “very low level.

During Volodymyr Zelensky's visit to Ankara, a 5.0 magnitude earthquake struck. On that day, the Ukrainian leader was in Turkey for a meeting with the country's president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan. On Thursday,

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky urged Russian President Vladimir Putin to meet him in Turkey this week to begin negotiations to end the three-year war between their countries. But he

President Volodymyr Zelensky said he will meet with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara, but said both leaders are ready to fly to Istanbul if Russian President Vladimir Putin chooses to attend the talks there.

The absence of Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump from the talks has dampened hopes of a significant breakthrough in resolving the conflict.

The United States delegation to the Russian-Ukrainian talks in Istanbul is not an escort group for Kiev. This was stated by Verkhovna Rada deputy Alexander Dubinsky.

Ukraine’s leader has agreed to almost everything President Trump wants but Trump has put no pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The Russian president abruptly canceled plans to meet face-to-face with Zelensky in Turkey last week. President Zelenskyy, left, and Vice President Vance greet each other as Secretary of State Rubio, center, looks on at St. Peter's Square Sunday. AP/Gregorio Borgia