An ex-Kremlin official has shared the biggest indication yet that Vladimir Putin may not join direct talks with Volodymyr Zelensky in Turkey on Thursday. Speaking to The Washington Post on condition of anonymity, the source, described as a senior former Kremlin official, said Russia would be represented at the peace talks by foreign minister Sergei Lavrov and Putin’s foreign policy aide, Yury Ushakov.

The Kremlin continues to be unclear on whether Putin will accept Zelensky's challenge and meet him in person for the second time ever or will just send a delegation. Earlier on Tuesday, the Russian president's spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, said "the Russian side continues to prepare for the talks scheduled for Thursday". However, he added, without mentioning Putin: "That is all we can say at this point. We do not intend to comment further at this time".

Mr Peskov also said during a briefing with the press that the names of people leading the Russian delegation would be announced "when the president deems it necessary". Direct talks between Russia and Ukraine officials haven't taken place since March 2022.

Mr Zelensky, who met Putin in person for the first and last time in December 2019, said on May 14, two days before the much-anticipated trip to Ankara: "We will do everything to make this meeting happen. If Putin is really ready to meet not only in the media, but in real life.

"Then at the level of leaders we will do everything to agree on a ceasefire. Because it is with him that I must agree on a ceasefire. Because only he decides this." The wartime leader is set to meet Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Thursday.

Putin unilaterally announced two temporary ceasefires, one over Easter and one in early May, to coincide with Russia's Victory Day Parade. However, Ukraine claimed Moscow's forces violated the truce in both instances.

Last weekend, European allies of Ukraine demanded that Putin agree on an unconditional 30-day ceasefire, setting a deadline for Monday. Russia, however, didn't agree on the truce and continued its unlawful and unprovoked attack on Ukraine.

While Putin's attendance in direct meeting in Turkey is uncertain – and, according to pro-Kremlin analyst Sergei Markov "unlikely" and linked to Donald Trump's presence in Ankara - it was the Russian leader to first bring forward the possibility of "serious talks" with Ukraine.

In a late-night address to reporters on May 10, Putin said: "We’re in the mood for serious talks with Ukraine". Russia, he went on to claim, was ready to “resume direct negotiations and I emphasise - without any preconditions.”

Earlier this week, Donald Trump suggested he may travel to Ankara for the talks as he is touring the Middle East. The US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and special envoys Steve Witkoff and Keith Kellogg are expected to attend the Turkey meeting.