US President Donald Trump and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin will not attend what could be the first direct peace talks between Russia and Ukraine in three years, the Kremlin sending insteada group of experienced technocrats.
Mr Putin on Sunday proposed direct negotiations with Ukraine in Istanbul “without any preconditions”.
Late yesterday, the Kremlin said the delegation would include presidential adviser Vladimir Medinsky and Deputy Defence Minister Alexander Fomin.
After the Kremlin’s delegation announcement, a US official said Mr Trump would not attend – days after saying that he was considering the trip.
While Mr Putin had never confirmed he…