Donald Trump will not attend the Russia-Ukraine peace talks in Istanbul, after it emerged Vladimir Putin is not planning to show up.
The move deals a major blow to Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky, who had hoped the summit could mark a turning point in ending the war.
A US official confirmed Mr Trump would not be attending after Russia announced its delegation list, which notably excluded Mr Putin.
Mr Zelensky has said he too will only travel to Istanbul if Mr Putin attends, accusing the Kremlin of “playing games”.
He is now expected to meet Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan separately in Ankara.