Russia's state-run RIA reporting comments from a Kremlin spox stating that in their meeting earlier today, Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan did not discuss the Ukraine conflict.
- Comes as something of a surprise, given notable expectations in recent days that Erdogan would seek to offer to perform the role of mediator between Russia and Ukraine.
- Without mediation from Turkey, it could prove difficult to get either side towards negotiating table. Ukraine retains stance of it will negotiate with Russia, but not while Putin is in charge.
- Recent missile strikes on Ukraine seen as a sign of desperation from Putin among Ukrainian and Western leadership. Will be v. difficult for Russia to sustain scale of attacks with heavy sanctions on Russian industries.
