Volodymyr Zelensky face-to-face peace talks with Putin in Istanbul

This Thursday. This announcement comes amid increasing international calls for a ceasefire and a diplomatic resolution to the ongoing conflict.

Zelensky shared his thoughts on the social media platform X, shortly after former U.S. President Donald Trump encouraged Ukraine to consider Putin’s invitation for bilateral negotiations in Türkiye, highlighting the urgent need to clarify the path toward ending the war.

“There is no point in prolonging the killings. I will be waiting for Putin in Türkiye on Thursday. Personally,” Zelensky stated.

The Ukrainian leader reaffirmed his government’s openness to negotiations but stressed that these discussions should follow the establishment of a ceasefire. “We await a full and lasting ceasefire, starting from tomorrow, to provide the necessary basis for diplomacy,” he added.

These developments follow a significant meeting in Kyiv on Saturday, where European leaders, part of the so-called “coalition of the willing,” advocated for a 30-day cessation of hostilities beginning Monday. Putin’s proposal for direct talks appears to be a response to this diplomatic initiative.

In support of this dialogue, Trump posted on his social media platform on Sunday, asserting that Ukraine should accept the offer for talks “immediately.”

“At least they will be able to determine whether or not a deal is possible, and if it is not, European leaders and the US will know where everything stands and can proceed accordingly,” Trump remarked. “Have the meeting, now!”

During a televised address on Saturday, President Putin invited Ukraine to partake in what he termed “serious negotiations” aimed at ending the war, which commenced with Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022. He acknowledged the possibility of achieving a new truce but did not directly address the Western-backed proposal for a 30-day ceasefire.

“This would be the first step towards a long-term, lasting peace, rather than a prologue to more armed hostilities after the Ukrainian armed forces receive new armaments and personnel, following intense trench-digging and the establishment of new command posts,” Putin noted.