Kyiv/Istanbul, May 14 – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has confirmed his plans to travel to Turkey this Thursday, where he aims to hold direct talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Istanbul. This would mark the first face-to-face meeting between the two leaders since December 2019.
“We will do everything to ensure that this meeting takes
place,” Zelensky stated during a surprise press briefing in Kyiv, signaling
Ukraine’s readiness for diplomatic engagement.
The Kremlin has not yet confirmed whether President Putin
will attend the Istanbul meeting, only stating that a decision will be
announced “as soon as [Putin] deems it necessary.” Russia has instead
emphasized its focus on a long-term settlement addressing what it describes as
the “root causes” of the war—demands previously rejected by Kyiv.
Zelensky’s primary objective is to secure a 30-day
ceasefire, which he claims has the backing of Ukraine's allies, including the
United States. He suggested Putin’s recent proposal for direct talks in
Istanbul was a strategic move to provoke a misstep from Kyiv, adding, “We will
not fall into that trap.”
In a bold move to raise the diplomatic stakes, Zelensky also
hinted at Putin’s reluctance to meet, accusing him of being “afraid” of direct
negotiations. His chief of staff, Andriy Yermak, echoed this sentiment, warning
that if Putin refuses to attend, it would signal a lack of intention to end the
war.
Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan is expected to host
the high-stakes meeting in Ankara and Istanbul. The US may also play a key
role, with unconfirmed reports suggesting senior American envoys Steve Witkoff
and Keith Kellogg are set to attend. Although former US President Donald Trump,
currently visiting the Gulf, hinted he might travel to Istanbul, such a move
appears unlikely at this stage.
Meanwhile, Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov
reiterated Moscow’s stance that any agreement must consider “realities on the
ground,” referencing the four southeastern Ukrainian regions partially occupied
by Russian forces since 2022. He also questioned Ukraine’s commitment to any
future agreements.
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas welcomed the idea of
direct talks but expressed skepticism over Putin’s willingness to engage: “I
don’t think he dares.”
European leaders, including those from the UK, Germany,
Poland, and France, recently visited Kyiv, warning of new sanctions if Moscow
fails to agree to the proposed ceasefire. The EU is currently preparing its
17th package of sanctions against Russia.
The international community now watches closely as
Thursday’s scheduled talks could mark a critical turning point—or a missed
opportunity—in the ongoing conflict.
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