Zelensky 'theatre prop' blast for Russia team as peace talks collapse after Putin no-show

VLADIMIR Putin was scolded by rival Volodymyr Zelensky yesterday for dodging peace talks and sending a “low level” delegation as he dragged his attritional war on.

- Giles Sheldrick

Hopes of a breakthrough were high ahead of a planned showdown summit in Turkey but they were dashed by the Russian despot’s refusal to leave his Moscow lair.

On a day of chaos and confusion, Ukraine’s president fired a verbal salvo from the tarmac after landing in Ankara, saying: "From what we've observed [the Russian delegation] looks more like a theatre prop than a serious one.

"What we do know for certain is who actually makes decisions on the Russian side. I'm here. This is a very clear message. We are ready to make any decisions that could lead to a long-awaited just peace."

Mr Zelensky’s comments showed his frustration at Putin’s mind games after he seemingly convinced the world he wanted talks in Istanbul before a contemptuous no-show.

The Russian delegation included Kremlin aide Vladimir Medinskiy, deputy foreign minister Mikhail Galuzin, head of Russian armed forces Igor Kostyukov, and defence minister Aleksandr Fomin. No meaningful talks took place.

A statement from Mr Zelensky’s office added: "The Ukrainian president is accompanied by a high-level delegation capable of preparing the necessary decisions.

"We note that Russia has also sent a delegation to Turkey unfortunately, of rather low rank and with an unclear mandate."

It sparked an extraordinary war of words between Moscow and Kyiv, with Mr Zelensky calling the Russian delegation “dummies” and the Kremlin labelling him a “clown and a loser” for making remarks about “respected people”.

Putin and Zelensky have not met face to face since December 2019.