Volodymyr Zelensky has confirmed he will meet Vladimir Putin in Turkey on Thursday, following Donald Trump’s call for Ukraine to engage in talks with Russia.
Trump urged Ukrainian officials to “immediately” agree to meet with their Russian counterparts to discuss a potential end to the war, which he described as a “bloodbath.” This followed Putin’s proposal for a meeting in Istanbul this coming week. On Truth Social, Trump wrote: “President Putin of Russia doesn’t want a Ceasefire Agreement but rather wants to meet on Thursday in Turkey to negotiate a possible end to the BLOODBATH.” He added that Ukraine should agree to the talks, stating it would clarify whether a deal is possible and allow the U.S. and European leaders to adjust their approach accordingly. Trump also expressed doubts about Ukraine’s willingness to make a deal with Putin.
After Trump’s statement, Zelensky confirmed he would attend the meeting, writing on X: “We await a full and lasting ceasefire, starting from tomorrow, to provide the necessary basis for diplomacy. There is no point in prolonging the killings. I will be waiting for Putin in Turkey on Thursday.” However, it remains unclear whether representatives from the U.S. or European nations will join the talks.
Putin proposed the direct talks on Sunday, suggesting they would address the root causes of the war and aim for lasting peace, rather than a temporary ceasefire. He called for negotiations without preconditions, adding that the decision now lies with the Ukrainian government. Putin’s proposal came after major European powers demanded a 30-day ceasefire or promised “massive” new sanctions. European leaders, including UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, insisted on a ceasefire, while Trump also called for a 30-day truce.
French President Emmanuel Macron expressed cautious optimism about Putin’s proposal but emphasized the need for an unconditional ceasefire before any negotiations.
