Putin’s absence punctured hopes of a breakthrough in peace efforts that were given a push in recent months by the Trump administration and Western European leaders.

Presidential aide Vladimir Medinsky will lead Russia’s delegation and attend the peace talks instead of Putin.

Ukraine’s president said Kyiv will consider its next steps after a meeting with his Turkish counterpart, Recep Tayyip Erdogan. "We all know who makes decisions in Russia," Zelenskyy added. View on eur