Zelenskyy Awaits Putin in Turkey for Peace Talks, Demands Immediate Ceasefire
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has confirmed his readiness to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in Istanbul on May 15, 2025, for direct peace negotiations, The Gaze reports.
The President emphasized the necessity of an immediate, unconditional ceasefire, guaranteed by credible international mediators, as a prerequisite for meaningful dialogue.
“We must understand the purpose of my meeting with Putin,” Zelenskyy explained. “He and I cannot agree on everything right now, that’s impossible. […] But we must somehow find a format to put an end to the war.”
He added that the presence of international guarantors, such as the United States, is crucial to ensure the implementation and monitoring of any agreement reached.
He stressed that any potential meeting must yield results. “If I meet him, we must come out with a political victory — a ceasefire, an exchange of all prisoners for all, or something of that sort.”
The question of enforcement is central to Zelenskyy’s concerns. “The Russians will not trust us, and we will not trust the Russians.”
Despite the Ukrainian leader’s overtures, the Kremlin has yet to confirm Putin’s attendance at the proposed talks. Zelenskyy warned that Putin’s absence would signal a lack of commitment to ending the conflict.
“If he does not come, it means he does not want to end this war and is not ready for any negotiations,” said Andriy Yermak, Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine.
Yermak also highlighted the potential consequences of Russia’s refusal to engage in the proposed talks, suggesting that it should prompt a strong international response, including new sanctions targeting Russia’s energy and financial sectors.
He emphasized the importance of a 30-day ceasefire as a starting point for negotiations, allowing for the establishment of monitoring mechanisms and transparency.
The international community, including European leaders and U.S. President Donald Trump, has expressed support for the proposed ceasefire and negotiations. However, the success of these efforts hinges on Russia’s willingness to participate in good faith.
As The Gaze previously reported, Putin has called for direct negotiations with Ukraine to take place in Istanbul on May 15, emphasizing Moscow’s readiness to resume dialogue without setting any prior conditions.
Read more on The Gaze: U.S. Special Envoy Lays Out Key Issues for Potential Ukraine-Russia Negotiations