Ukraine war : Zelensky agrees to meet Putin in Turkey Thursday

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has confirmed plans to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in Turkey on Thursday, marking a potential breakthrough in stalled diplomatic efforts to end the war.

The meeting was first suggested by Putin over the weekend, with former U.S. President Donald Trump publicly urging Zelenskyy to accept the proposal. The Kremlin insists the talks, to be held in Istanbul, proceed without preconditions and focus on achieving a durable peace.

“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. And I will be waiting for Putin in Türkiye on Thursday. Personally. I hope that this time the Russians will not look for excuses,” Zelenskyy wrote.

Trump, weighing in on the development Sunday, pushed for Zelenskyy to agree to the sit-down, citing a need for clarity in the peace process. Ukraine and Russia are currently observing a ceasefire to commemorate the anniversary of the end of World War II in Europe.

“President Putin of Russia doesn’t want to have a Cease Fire Agreement with Ukraine, but rather wants to meet on Thursday, in Turkey, to negotiate a possible end to the BLOODBATH,” Trump wrote on social media. “Ukraine should agree to this, 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 U.S., will know where everything stands, and can proceed accordingly!”

“I’m starting to doubt that Ukraine will make a deal with Putin, who’s too busy celebrating the Victory of World War ll, which could not have been won (not even close!) without the United States of America. HAVE THE MEETING, NOW!!!” he added.

While Moscow has not made any significant public concessions, Putin has signaled a willingness to discuss the underlying causes of the conflict. He said he would speak with Turkish President Tayyip Erdoğan about hosting and facilitating the session.

“Our proposal, as they say, is on the table,” Putin said. “The decision is now up to the Ukrainian authorities and their curators, who are guided, it seems, by their personal political ambitions, and not by the interests of their peoples.”

Putin’s overture follows renewed pressure from European leaders, who on Saturday in Kyiv demanded that Russia accept an unconditional 30-day ceasefire or face heightened sanctions. However, the Russian president rejected what he described as “ultimatums” from Western capitals.

Still, he appeared open to compromise during the upcoming summit in Turkey. Putin said the negotiations might lead to “some new truces, a new ceasefire,” potentially laying the groundwork for a more “sustainable” peace.