Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed hope that the current desperate diplomacy between Russia and Ukraine might shift with Donald Trump’s involvement. “Trump needs to understand that Putin is not being truthful, and we ought to play our part wisely to indicate that we aren’t the ones delaying progress,” he remarked.
He’s set to travel to Türkiye on Thursday, regardless of whether Putin shows up for talks. Zelenskyy plans to meet with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, and has indicated he would head to Istanbul immediately if Putin appears. “If Putin doesn’t come and continues this game, it indicates he isn’t keen on resolving the conflict,” he stated on Tuesday.
After Putin’s unexpectedly late-night address calling for direct negotiations in Istanbul, Zelenskyy responded by saying he was awaiting Putin’s personal appearance in Turkey.
Trump, currently in Saudi Arabia, has floated the idea of a possible three-way meeting with Putin and Zelenskyy. “I really hope Trump will meet me in Türkiye,” Zelenskyy said, adding, “When Trump travels, it’s likely that Putin will too. Trump can genuinely assist in this situation; his involvement could provide vital assurances.”
Trump’s envoy to Ukraine, Keith Kellogg, has also supported the idea of a three-way summit, expressing hope for a fruitful meeting. He mentioned that he, along with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Steve Witkov from Engoi, are also expected in Türkiye.
However, there are few signs that Putin is willing to make the trip. While he hasn’t outright rejected the idea, Kremlin comments suggest they may send a lower-level negotiation team instead. “Our delegation will be there and await the Ukrainians,” stated Putin’s spokesperson Dmitry Peskov. Russian Vice Minister Sergei Liabkov emphasized that Russia aims to address the “root causes” of the conflict.
Zelenskyy noted that initiating lower-level talks without a ceasefire agreement from the leaders would be futile. “It’s important to understand why we’re meeting Putin. We can’t resolve everything at once—our viewpoints and life approaches differ significantly. But we must find a pathway to end the war,” he elaborated. If a ceasefire is agreed upon, he believes lower-level groups can start working on the details.
He pointed to earlier negotiations in Saudi Arabia, where even with U.S. intermediaries assisting Russian and Ukrainian delegations, a lasting ceasefire was never achieved. “Without a clear signal or meeting of the leaders, this method won’t be effective,” he added.
When questioned, he didn’t completely dismiss the possibility of sending a lower-level team to Istanbul for discussions. “I honestly don’t know. Perhaps someone in the U.S. is interested in reviving this format,” he commented.
The current diplomatic efforts, which began on Saturday with a visit from British, French, German, and Polish leaders to Kiev, have been charged. After conversing with Trump, the European leaders set an ultimatum for Putin: agree to a 30-day ceasefire or contend with further sanctions by Monday. Putin, however, rejected the ultimatum and instead offered discussions in Istanbul without agreeing to a ceasefire.
If no agreements are reached during this week’s talks in Türkiye, a pressing question remains: can the Europeans team up with Trump to escalate pressure on Moscow? Zelenskyy expressed optimism that new sanctions may soon be on the agenda if Thursday’s meetings don’t yield results. “I believe Trump isn’t against imposing sanctions, and there’s a political will in Congress for it. I think the Americans are getting close to action,” he stated, while indicating that further consultations would occur in the coming days.
Over the past few weeks, the Ukrainian president has been navigating a complex diplomatic landscape as he attempts to mend his relationship with the Trump administration. Following a challenging meeting at the White House in late February, it seems Zelenskyy has rebuilt rapport, highlighted by a positive encounter with international leaders at the Vatican last month.
Asked what he said to Trump to improve their connection, Zelenskyy smiled and replied, “I can’t share that. I have my reasons, but I think I grasp the basis of our good dialogue.”
Since the White House mishap, British and French officials have been in constant contact with their Ukrainian counterparts, providing advice on how to mend the relationship with the U.S. administration.
Zelenskyy remarked that ties with European allies have grown stronger and more frequent, particularly with French President Emmanuel Macron, whom he referred to as one of the key leaders he communicates with regularly. “Macron has a creative approach… he’s a risk-taker, and all risk-takers are outcome-focused, even if they vary in style,” he said.
Post his trip to Turkey, Zelenskyy is expected to visit Albania for a meeting with European officials and then head to Rome, where he hinted at possibly attending a mass with Pope Leo XIV after a recent positive conversation.
“I think that could happen on Sunday,” he noted. “But honestly, who knows what this week will bring? I find myself at a moment where tomorrow is uncertain.”
