Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has called on U.S. President Donald Trump to facilitate a meeting with Vladimir Putin in Turkey on Thursday, while accusing the Russian leader of not genuinely seeking an end to the conflict.
In Kyiv, Mr. Zelensky stated that the West should implement substantial sanctions if Mr. Putin fails to attend the meeting, asserting that he would do “everything” in his power to ensure it occurs and to achieve a ceasefire.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio will be part of the American delegation attending the discussions in Istanbul, which Mr. Trump suggested could yield “pretty good results” during his four-day trip to the Middle East, starting in Riyadh.
Additionally, Mr. Trump is dispatching senior envoys Steve Witkoff and Keith Kellogg, according to three sources familiar with the plans.
Volodymyr Zelensky (R) and Vladimir Putin have not engaged in a face-to-face meeting since December 2019.
“This is his war,” Mr. Zelensky remarked, “so the negotiations should be conducted with him.”
Any meeting between Russian and Ukrainian officials would mark the first direct negotiations since the initial months of Moscow’s invasion in February 2022.
Upon assuming office in January, Mr. Trump pledged a swift resolution to the conflict but has grown increasingly frustrated with what he perceives as both Kyiv and Moscow’s unwillingness to compromise amidst the violence.
Mr. Trump mentioned yesterday that he was “considering” attending the talks.
“I am unaware of the U.S. president’s decision, but should he confirm his participation, I believe it would encourage Putin to attend,” Mr. Zelensky shared at a press conference.
“Putin is not interested in ending the war, does not want a ceasefire, and rejects any negotiations,” Mr. Zelensky added, while reiterating his commitment to ensuring that the meeting takes place.
Russian airstrikes in Ukraine’s eastern Kharkiv region, adjacent to Russia, resulted in two fatalities, according to authorities.
Mr. Zelensky urged the U.S. to impose its “strongest” sanctions against Russia if Mr. Putin fails to show up, stating that such a refusal would signal that they do not intend to end the war.
When asked about Russia’s representation at the talks, Mr. Putin’s spokesperson declined to comment.
Zelensky insists on face-to-face negotiations with Putin in Istanbul.
Mr. Zelensky has expressed a willingness to engage in discussions regarding the war this week, contingent on Mr. Putin’s attendance, and challenged him by suggesting that the Russian president fears meeting him in person.
He proposed negotiating an unconditional 30-day ceasefire as an initial step towards concluding the war, asserting that “everything in Russia” hinges on Mr. Putin’s decisions.
“We aim to establish a beginning to the end of the war,” Mr. Zelensky stated at the press conference, though he remarked, “He (Putin) is afraid of direct talks with me.”
Kaja Kallas, the EU’s top diplomat, expressed skepticism about Putin’s courage to attend.
“I think it would be a positive development if they can meet,” Ms. Kallas mentioned at a democracy conference in Copenhagen, “but I doubt that Putin dares to show up.”
Both Russia and Ukraine are striving to demonstrate their commitment to peace after Mr. Trump emphasized the importance of resolving the conflict, which has persisted since the full-scale invasion in February 2022, but have yet to outline a clear path forward.
Mr. Putin proposed direct talks with Ukraine on Sunday, following a Ukrainian offer for an unconditional 30-day ceasefire that he overlooked.
Mr. Trump publicly advised Mr. Zelensky to accept the proposal.
The Ukrainian president then indicated he would await Mr. Putin in Istanbul on Thursday, although the Kremlin leader had not signaled any intention to travel.
When inquired about Russia’s representation at the discussions, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said: “We will announce it as soon as the president deems it appropriate.”
Trump’s potential attendance.
In a speech in Saudi Arabia, Mr. Trump confirmed that Mr. Rubio would attend the talks alongside others.
“We’ll see if we can get it done,” he added.
In a previous interview on Fox, Mr. Kellogg stated that Mr. Trump would join the Istanbul discussions provided Mr. Putin attends.
“We hope President Putin will also be there, and then President Trump will attend. This could be an immensely significant meeting,” he said.
“I genuinely believe we can achieve peace quite swiftly if all three leaders engage in dialogue,” he added.
Newly elected Pope Leo assured Mr. Zelensky yesterday of his commitment to work towards a just and lasting peace, according to an aide for Mr. Zelensky.
Last year, Reuters reported that Mr. Putin was open to negotiating a ceasefire with Mr. Trump, but Russia dismissed any major territorial concessions and insisted Ukraine renounce its aspirations to join NATO.
Ukraine stated it is prepared for negotiations, but emphasized the need for a ceasefire first, a stance backed by its European partners.
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov was cited by Russian news agencies as expressing Russia’s readiness for meaningful discussions but expressed doubts about Ukraine’s negotiation capabilities.
He was quoted as mentioning that the realities “on the ground” must be acknowledged, including what the Kremlin refers to as “new territories” incorporated into Russia—specifically, regions in Ukraine currently occupied by Russian forces.
Senior U.S. officials are advocating for Russia to agree to a comprehensive 30-day ceasefire covering land, air, sea, and critical infrastructure, disclosed a senior U.S. official.
