WASHINGTON: In a significant diplomatic development, United States President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin will not be present at what could be the first direct peace talks between Moscow and Kyiv in three years. Scheduled for Thursday, May 15, these talks aim to address ongoing tensions and military conflicts that have escalated since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

Instead of the heads of state, the Kremlin has decided to send a delegation of experienced technocrats to the negotiations. This group will be led by presidential adviser Vladimir Medinsky and Deputy Defence Minister Alexander Fomin, as announced late Wednesday by Kremlin officials. The decision to send a delegation rather than the presidents themselves has raised concerns about the potential for achieving meaningful progress in the talks.

On Sunday, Putin had extended an invitation for direct negotiations with Ukraine, proposing Istanbul as the venue and emphasizing that he wanted to engage "without any preconditions." However, as the talks approach, the absence of both Trump and Putin diminishes the prospects for a major breakthrough, highlighting the challenges that lie ahead.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has openly challenged Putin to attend the discussions, suggesting that his willingness to do so would demonstrate his commitment to peace. In a strategic move, Zelenskyy reportedly stated he would only participate in the negotiations if Putin himself were present, adding a layer of psychological tactics to the discussions.

As the clock ticks down to the talks, Trump has proposed a 30-day ceasefire between the involved parties, aiming to temporarily halt what is now recognized as Europe's most significant land conflict since World War II. In conjunction with this, a Russian lawmaker hinted at the possibility of discussions regarding a substantial exchange of prisoners of war.

While Zelenskyy has expressed support for an immediate 30-day ceasefire, Putin has indicated that he prefers to first engage in negotiations to iron out the details of such a ceasefire. This underscores the complexity and urgency of the situation as both nations grapple with the realities of war and the pressing need for dialogue.