Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has agreed to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Turkey on Sunday. This meeting was proposed by Putin earlier in the week, and President Trump encouraged Zelensky to accept the offer. Putin emphasized that discussions in Istanbul should occur without any preconditions, aiming for lasting peace.
“We’re looking for a complete and enduring ceasefire to lay the groundwork for diplomacy starting tomorrow. There’s really no point in prolonging the violence. I’m waiting for Putin in Turkey on Thursday,” Zelensky stated.
Trump also pressed Zelensky to take up the meeting on Sunday, noting that both Ukraine and Russia are currently observing a ceasefire commemorating the end of World War II in Europe.
Putin indicated that he does not want just any ceasefire agreement. Instead, he prefers to meet in Turkey to negotiate the possibility of reducing hostilities, saying, “As they say, our proposal is on the table. The choice belongs to the Ukrainian government and their afflictions, rather than their people’s interests.”
So far, Putin hasn’t offered significant concessions but mentioned that discussions should tackle the underlying issues of the conflict. He has communicated with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to facilitate negotiations, suggesting that they could lead to a ceasefire.
Meanwhile, European leaders recently demanded an unconditional 30-day ceasefire or face new sanctions, a move that Putin has dismissed as excessive. However, he hasn’t ruled out the potential for “new ceasefires” during the negotiations in Turkey, claiming these talks could be a vital first step towards sustainable peace.
