Zelenskyy Prepared to Meet Putin in Turkey: A Test of Russia's Commitment to Peace
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has reiterated his commitment to meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Turkey, emphasizing that this meeting will serve as a test of Russia's true willingness to pursue peace. Speaking to journalists in Kyiv on Tuesday, Zelenskyy expressed his intention to wait in Ankara for a face-to-face discussion with Putin, alongside Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. He also mentioned his readiness to travel to Istanbul if that location is more suitable for Putin.
"If Putin does not arrive and continues to play games, it will clearly indicate that he does not want to end the war," Zelenskyy remarked.
The backdrop for these discussions comes as tensions remain high following Putin's recent proposal for direct talks in Istanbul, despite dismissing urgent calls from Kyiv and its allies for an immediate ceasefire by a set deadline of Monday, threatening further sanctions if not complied with.
In an effort to encourage dialogue, Washington has urged Ukraine to participate in the Turkish talks, even as European leaders have insisted that Russia should first agree to a ceasefire lasting at least a month.
U.S. President Donald Trump has not officially confirmed his attendance, though he suggested on Monday that he might travel to Turkey, which could significantly elevate the visibility and importance of the negotiations. Zelenskyy noted the invitation extended to Trump, stating that it might provide additional motivation for Putin to attend the meeting.
According to reports, Trump’s senior envoys, Steve Witkoff and Keith Kellogg, are expected to travel to Istanbul, further indicating the high stakes of the upcoming talks.
Zelenskyy emphasized his determination to secure a ceasefire, stating, "It's with Putin that I must negotiate a ceasefire, as only he can decide on it." He also called on the United States to implement a stringent new package of sanctions if Putin refuses to meet in Turkey, asserting that the Russian leader appears fearful of direct negotiations.
While the Kremlin has not confirmed whether Putin will attend the talks, senior Russian lawmakers suggested that it is unlikely he will travel personally and may instead dispatch a high-level delegation. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated on Tuesday that preparations for negotiations continue but refrained from further commentary on Zelenskyy’s demand for Putin to attend.
Moscow appears poised to present maximalist demands during the Istanbul negotiations, mirroring those raised in previous talks held in Turkey in the spring of 2022. Senior aide to Putin, Sergei Ryabkov, indicated that Russia would seek to address issues related to the alleged 'denazification' of the Ukrainian government and the fundamental causes of the conflict, which may include eliminating Western military support for Ukraine and solidifying Russian control over the four regions in Ukraine that it annexed in 2022.
The leaders of Europe have shown a restrained response as a 30-day ceasefire ultimatum, which they supported, lapsed without an agreement from Russia. Over the weekend, the leaders of Britain, France, Germany, and Poland visited Kyiv to reiterate their call for an immediate ceasefire, cautioning Moscow of severe consequences for failure to comply.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz advocated once again for an unconditional 30-day ceasefire in a meeting with his Greek counterpart in Berlin on Tuesday. He stated, "We are waiting for Putin's agreement. If there is no significant progress this week, we will push at the European level for a tightening of sanctions."
Merz also expressed support for Zelenskyy’s willingness to go to Istanbul, reinforcing that it is now solely up to Putin to accept this opportunity for dialogue and agree to a ceasefire. "The ball is exclusively in Russia's court," he affirmed.
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