[Video transcript]
It was conspicuously quiet at the palace in Istanbul, where Ukraine and Russia were due to hold their talks. After a diplomatic game of cat and mouse between Moscow and Kyiv, no one seemed to know if anyone would show up.
But after days of speculation that Russian President Vladimir Putin might come to Istanbul, the Kremlin announced he had no such plans.
Instead he sent a low-level delegation. But they were left waiting for the Ukrainians — who were hundreds of kilometers away in Ankara. After meeting with his Turkish counterpart, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy accused Putin of sending a second-rate team.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Ukrainian President: "After learning about the level of the Russian delegation, we see that, unfortunately, they are not taking the real negotiations very seriously. So far, we don't see — among those present — anyone who actually makes decisions. Although I want to remind you, it was Russia who proposed direct negotiations."
Putin was the first to propose the talks in Turkey, while dismissing demands of a ceasefire. But speculation about his attendance was triggered by Zelenskyy challenging Putin to meet him face-to-face.
Sergey Lavrov, Russian Foreign Minister: "At first Zelenskyy made some kind of statements that demanded Putin come personally. Well, he's a pathetic person, it's obvious to everyone, except maybe him and those who are his puppet masters."
Another negative RSVP came from Donald Trump, who was travelling in the Gulf. But he did hint that he might come to Turkey if there was any progress by Friday.
Donald Trump, US President: "Look, nothing's going to happen until Putin and I get together, okay? And obviously he was ... He was going to go, but he thought I was going to go. He wasn't going if I wasn't there. And I don't believe anything's going to happen, whether you like it or not, until he and I get together. But we're going to have to get it solved because too many people are dying."
Volodymyr Zelenskyy left Turkey Thursday evening, but sent his defense minister to Istanbul where talks are set to finally begin on Friday.