VLADMIR Putin will not attend the crunch Russia-Ukraine peace talks in Istanbul this week, snubbing President Zelensky.
The list for the Russian delegation at Thursday's meeting was released by the Kremlin - and Putin's name was a glaring omission.
Zelensky had challenged Putin to meet him face-to-face to hammer out a deal, but Putin has chosen to dodge the path to peace once again.
Shortly after it was established Putin was staying away, a US official confirmed that Trump would not be attending either - after previously hinting he might.
It's not clear whether Zelensky will still go to Istanbul.
Trump first toyed with a detour from his blockbuster Middle East tour to Istanbul on Monday, when he said: "I was thinking of flying over. I don't know where I am going be on Thursday. There’s a possibility there I guess if I think things can happen.”
Speaking on Air Force One on Wednesday, Trump said: "[Putin] would like me to be there, and that’s a possibility.
"I don’t know that he would be there if I’m not there. We’re going to find out."
Russia is still sending a troop of heavyweights - including a presidential advisor, top diplomat, and senior military and intelligence officials - but Putin's absence is significant.
Turning up would have been an indication that he is taking the peace process seriously - and a meeting of all three leaders would have been momentous.
Putin's absence will fuel the belief that he is not actually interested in ending the war - as Zelensky has said many times.
More to follow... For the latest news on this story, keep checking back at The U.S. Sun, your go-to destination for the best celebrity news, sports news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures, and must-see videos.
Like us on Facebook at TheSunUS and follow us on X at @TheUSSun