Odaily Planet Daily News According to the Moscow Times from multiple sources within the Russian government, the Foreign Ministry, and the Kremlin's inner circle, Russian President Putin has no intention of accepting Ukrainian President Zelensky's proposal for a one-on-one meeting in Istanbul. Just hours before the first direct contact between the Russian and Ukrainian delegations in three years, the Kremlin was tight-lipped about Putin's itinerary, revealing Moscow's negative attitude. Although sources claim that Putin believes Zelensky 'does not deserve to sit at the same table' unless the latter 'publicly surrenders' before he would consider a meeting, Putin cannot outright refuse due to U.S. President Trump's urging for Russian leaders to engage with their opponents. Former Russian diplomat Boris Bondarev pointed out that this silence is a carefully designed tactic: it keeps Kyiv and its allies on edge while leaving room for a last-minute change of heart.