Zelensky challenges Putin to meet him after Trump demands Ukraine-Russia talks
3 min read
Zelensky invites Putin to Istanbul for peace talks amid Western pressure for a 30-day ceasefire.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has publicly invited Russian President Vladimir Putin to a face-to-face meeting in Istanbul this Thursday, following mounting international pressure for renewed peace talks to end the war in Ukraine.
In a bold post on X (formerly Twitter), Zelensky declared, “There is no point in prolonging the killings. And I will be waiting for Putin in Türkiye on Thursday. Personally.” His challenge came in the wake of former U.S. President Donald Trump’s call for Ukraine to accept Russia’s latest offer of direct negotiations.
Trump had urged Ukraine to agree to talks “immediately,” suggesting that even if the discussions failed, they would provide clarity about where both sides stand. “Have the meeting, now!” Trump wrote, emphasizing that it would help determine whether peace was possible and allow European and American leaders to proceed accordingly.
Zelensky reiterated his government’s position that any talks with Russia must follow a ceasefire. “We await a full and lasting ceasefire, starting from tomorrow, to provide the necessary basis for diplomacy,” he stated in his post.
His remarks align with a new push from Western powers, who have proposed a 30-day pause in hostilities starting Monday. The ceasefire initiative emerged after a summit of European leaders in Kyiv over the weekend, part of a growing diplomatic effort to shift momentum from the battlefield to the negotiating table.
Russian President Vladimir Putin, in a late-night address on Saturday, extended an invitation to Ukraine for what he described as “serious negotiations.” Though he did not endorse the proposed 30-day ceasefire, Putin suggested that talks could lead to a “new truce” and potentially lay the foundation for a long-term peace.
“This would be the first step towards a lasting peace, not a prelude to more armed hostilities,” Putin said. However, he also emphasized that Moscow expects Western nations to halt their military aid to Ukraine as a precondition for any ceasefire.
Russia’s offer comes amid growing speculation that Moscow may be trying to divide the United States and Europe diplomatically. According to BBC analyst Steve Rosenberg, Putin’s timing suggests he may be testing the unity of the Western coalition backing Ukraine.
Zelensky’s invitation signals a shift in tone but not in core demands. Ukraine remains firm that any deal must begin with a full cessation of hostilities. Meanwhile, Russia has been equally insistent that Ukraine’s alignment with NATO and the continued flow of Western arms are key obstacles to peace.
The last time Russia and Ukraine held direct talks was in March 2022, also in Istanbul. Those talks collapsed after little progress, with both sides accusing the other of bad faith and maintaining rigid positions on territorial and security issues.
This time, both governments say they are open to talks “in principle,” but expectations remain low. Analysts note that the red lines on both sides—especially concerning territory, sovereignty, and security guarantees—are still far apart.
The diplomatic flurry has drawn in major global players. On Saturday, Zelensky hosted a high-profile meeting in Kyiv with UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, German leader Friedrich Merz, and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk. Afterward, Tusk reportedly contacted Trump to discuss the ceasefire plan and to ensure coordination with the U.S.
Speaking to the BBC, Sir Keir said the group had agreed that an “immediate ceasefire” was not just a proposal, but a “demand that must be met.” The leaders also warned that if Putin refused to comply, they would impose “new and massive” sanctions targeting Russia’s energy and banking sectors.
As Thursday approaches, the world waits to see whether Putin will accept Zelensky’s offer for direct talks—and if the long and bloody war that began with Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022 might finally move closer to a diplomatic solution.
About The Author
