Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced he will travel to Turkey this week for peace talks with Russia. He extended a personal invitation to Russian President Vladimir Putin, challenging him to meet face-to-face. Zelensky expressed his urgency, stating, “There is no point in prolonging the killings,” and indicated he would be waiting for Putin in Turkey on Thursday.
This announcement came shortly after former U.S. President Donald Trump urged Zelensky to accept Putin’s offer for direct talks. Trump emphasized the importance of determining if a peace deal is possible, suggesting that clarity on the situation would help European and U.S. leaders make informed decisions.
The backdrop to these talks is Russia’s military advantage in the ongoing conflict. Russia has previously rejected a U.S.-proposed 30-day ceasefire. Kremlin officials insist that any peace agreement must address what they see as the root causes of the war, including NATO’s expansion and the treatment of Russian-speaking people in Ukraine.
There is speculation that Trump may attend the meeting between Zelensky and Putin, although it remains uncertain if Putin will actually travel to Turkey.
Earlier in the conflict, negotiations in Istanbul almost led to a peace agreement, but discussions broke down in April 2022, shortly after Russia’s invasion. Reports of atrocities in Bucha intensified Ukrainian resolve to resist, and a visit from then-British Prime Minister Boris Johnson encouraged Ukraine to continue fighting.
As the situation develops, many are watching closely to see if these talks will yield any progress towards ending the conflict.