Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has committed to making every effort to ensure a direct meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Turkey. Speaking to reporters in Kyiv, Zelensky confirmed he will travel to Ankara to meet with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and is prepared for face-to-face talks with Putin in Istanbul on Thursday.
"We will do everything to ensure that this meeting takes place," Zelensky said during an impromptu briefing. The Russian government has not yet confirmed who will represent Moscow at the talks, with an official statement expected once President Putin deems it necessary. The last time Putin and Zelensky met in person was in December 2019 during the Paris summit.
Direct negotiations between the two countries last took place in Istanbul in March 2022, shortly after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. At that time, Putin had expressed a desire for talks without preconditions, which Zelensky had accepted, although the meeting has not materialized since.
While Zelensky is keen to meet Putin in Istanbul, his primary objective is to secure a 30-day ceasefire. This idea has the support of Ukraine’s allies, including the U.S. However, the Kremlin has dismissed such proposals, focusing instead on a long-term resolution based on preconditions, which Kyiv has consistently rejected.
The U.S. is also expected to send a high-level delegation to Istanbul, with reports suggesting that two senior U.S. envoys, Steve Witkoff and Keith Kellogg, may be present. U.S. President Donald Trump, currently in the Gulf region, has also hinted that he may visit Istanbul if he believes progress is possible, though this remains unconfirmed.
In response to Putin's recent offer for direct talks, Zelensky indicated that he believed the timing was an attempt to provoke a negative reaction from Ukraine. The Ukrainian leader also suggested that Putin's refusal to meet in Istanbul would signal Moscow’s reluctance to end the war.
Zelensky’s comments have put additional pressure on Russia to engage. The Kremlin has downplayed speculation surrounding Putin’s participation, with a spokesperson stating that preparations for the negotiations are ongoing. Russian officials continue to insist on settlement terms that include the annexation of four southeastern Ukrainian regions, a condition that Kyiv refuses to accept.
EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell also voiced support for direct talks but expressed skepticism about Putin's willingness to engage, with some suggesting that Putin is too fearful to meet Zelensky. Ukraine’s chief of staff, Andriy Yermak, added that if Putin does not attend the meeting, it would be a clear indication that Russia is unwilling to end the conflict.
Meanwhile, European leaders from the UK, Germany, Poland, and France visited Kyiv this weekend to warn of further sanctions against Russia if it refuses to agree to a ceasefire. The European Union is currently working on its 17th sanctions package in response to Russia’s actions.
This push for direct negotiations highlights the growing pressure on both sides to find a diplomatic solution to the ongoing war.