Zelensky Willing to Meet Putin in Istanbul
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has expressed his readiness to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin face-to-face in Istanbul this Thursday to discuss ending the ongoing war. His announcement, made via a post on X, came shortly after former U.S. President Donald Trump called on Ukraine to accept Putin’s proposal for direct talks in Turkey.
Call to End the Bloodshed
“There is no point in prolonging the killings. And I will be waiting for Putin in Türkiye on Thursday. Personally,” Zelensky wrote. He reaffirmed Ukraine’s position that any negotiations with Russia must be preceded by a ceasefire.
International Push for Ceasefire
Over the weekend, Western leaders advocated for a 30-day cessation of hostilities starting Monday. This initiative followed a meeting in Kyiv among European leaders involved in the so-called “coalition of the willing.” It was after this intervention that President Putin extended the offer for direct negotiations.
Trump Urges Immediate Talks
On Sunday, Donald Trump posted on social media urging Ukraine to accept the proposed talks without delay. He stated that engaging in dialogue would clarify the potential for peace and help international leaders determine the path forward. “Have the meeting, now!” Trump emphasized.
Hope for Ceasefire as Diplomatic Groundwork
Zelensky, in his post, also stated his hope that Russia would agree to a full and lasting ceasefire before any talks take place. “We await a full and lasting ceasefire, starting from tomorrow, to provide the necessary basis for diplomacy,” he said.
Putin’s Stance on Negotiations
In a Saturday night address, President Putin invited Ukraine to engage in what he called “serious negotiations” aimed at resolving the conflict that began with Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022. While he mentioned the possibility of reaching a new truce, Putin did not directly respond to the proposed 30-day ceasefire. He noted that such talks could be a step toward long-term peace rather than a temporary pause before renewed fighting.
Russia Ties Ceasefire to Western Military Aid
Moscow has previously stated that it will only consider a ceasefire if Western nations stop supplying military assistance to Ukraine. This condition remains a significant obstacle to advancing diplomatic efforts toward ending the conflict.
High-Level Diplomatic Engagement in Kyiv
On Saturday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky hosted several key European leaders in Kyiv, including UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, German opposition leader Friedrich Merz, and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk. Following their discussions, Tusk contacted former U.S. President Donald Trump to brief him on the proposed plan.
International Push for Immediate Ceasefire
Prime Minister Starmer later told the BBC that the U.S. President supported their proposal, describing the call for an immediate ceasefire as a non-negotiable demand. During a joint press conference with Zelensky, the European leaders warned of severe consequences for Russia. They pledged to implement “new and massive” sanctions targeting Russia’s energy and banking sectors if President Putin fails to agree to an unconditional 30-day ceasefire across all domains—air, sea, and land.
Past Talks and Current Standoff
The last face-to-face negotiations between Russia and Ukraine took place in March 2022 in Istanbul, shortly after the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion. Now, over three years later, both sides have signaled a willingness to restart dialogue. However, agreeing to talk and reaching a peace agreement remain two very different challenges. Despite the diplomatic gestures, both Ukraine and Russia continue to hold firm to opposing demands, making a compromise elusive.
