Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced Sunday he is prepared to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in Turkey on Thursday, following a dramatic intervention from U.S. President Donald Trump urging Ukraine to agree to direct negotiations. The proposed summit, which would mark the first in-person talks between the two leaders since before Russia's 2022 invasion, comes amid intensified diplomatic pressure from the West and fresh ceasefire demands.
"I will be waiting for Putin in Türkiye on Thursday. Personally. I hope that this time the Russians will not look for excuses," Zelensky posted on X. The message came just hours after Trump called on the Ukrainian leader to accept Putin's invitation for negotiations in Istanbul, scheduled for May 15.
Zelensky's chief of staff, Andriy Yermak, reinforced the challenge to the Kremlin, writing on Telegram: "What about Putin? Is he afraid? We'll see."
Trump, speaking on his platform Truth Social, dismissed the idea of a ceasefire as a prerequisite, siding instead with Moscow's proposal for direct talks. "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. Ukraine should agree to this, IMMEDIATELY," Trump wrote.
He added, "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!"
Zelensky and leaders from several NATO member states had jointly proposed a 30-day unconditional ceasefire starting Monday, a demand Putin swiftly rejected. Instead, in a televised nighttime address that aired during U.S. prime time, the Russian president proposed direct negotiations "without any preconditions." However, Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov later clarified that discussions must reflect both the 2022 draft peace framework and the current military situation - terms Kyiv considers tantamount to surrender.
Putin also criticized the West's conditions. "Ultimatums" don't work, he said, rejecting the coordinated pressure from European leaders who warned of "massive" sanctions if Moscow failed to agree to the ceasefire. Russia's foreign ministry asserted that any ceasefire must follow, not precede, talks addressing the root causes of the war.
Zelensky responded cautiously, indicating Ukraine's ceasefire plan remains in place regardless of Moscow's position. "We await a full and lasting ceasefire, starting from tomorrow, to provide the necessary basis for diplomacy," he stated on X.
The U.S. embassy in Kyiv warned Friday of a "potentially significant" Russian air assault in the coming days, adding urgency to diplomatic overtures. Kyiv also made clear that Zelensky will travel to Turkey on Thursday regardless of whether Putin agrees to halt hostilities.
Trump, who has cast himself as a potential peacemaker in the conflict, doubled down Sunday, writing: "I'm starting to doubt that Ukraine will make a deal with Putin, who's too busy celebrating the Victory of World War II, which could not have been won (not even close!) without the United States of America. HAVE THE MEETING, NOW!!!"
