Putin's absence from Istanbul negotiations with Ukraine sparks controversy.

Russia has announced the formation of its official delegation for peace talks with Ukraine, scheduled to take place in Istanbul, without the inclusion of President Vladimir Putin's name, as revealed by the Kremlin on Wednesday evening.

The Russian delegation will be led by Presidential Adviser Vladimir Medinsky, and includes Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin and Deputy Defense Minister Alexander Fomin, as reported by "AFP" agency.

On the other hand, a senior Ukrainian official confirmed that President Volodymyr Zelensky is on his way to Turkey to participate in the negotiations, without disclosing further details due to the sensitivity of the situation, while US sources indicated that President Donald Trump will not participate in the upcoming meetings.

Putin had earlier expressed readiness to hold direct and unconditional negotiations with Ukraine in Turkey, while Kyiv responded with a proposal for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire for 30 days, a proposal supported by the United States and the European Union.

These talks come amid the ongoing war entering its fourth year, following a series of failed negotiations in 2022, which only resulted in a limited prisoner exchange.

With Putin absent and Zelensky's possible presence, attention turns to Istanbul to see if the new round can break the deadlock in the ongoing conflict between Moscow and Kyiv.