According to online reports, the "Moscow Times" learned from multiple sources in the Russian government, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the inner circle of the Kremlin that Russian President Vladimir Putin has no intention of accepting Ukraine President Zelensky's proposal to hold a one-on-one meeting in Istanbul. Hours before the Russian and Ukrainian delegation's first direct contact in three years, the Kremlin was secretive about Putin's itinerary, exposing Moscow's negative attitude. Although sources said Putin believed that Zelensky was "unworthy of being on an equal footing with him" and would consider a meeting unless the latter "publicly surrenders," Putin was unable to flatly refuse because US President Trump urged Russian leaders to engage with their opponents. Former Russian diplomat Boris Bondarev pointed out that this silence was a carefully crafted tactic: it left Kiev and its allies on pins and needles, and left room for a temporary change of heart.