Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is pushing for a direct, face-to-face meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin during upcoming peace talks in Istanbul, aiming to negotiate an unconditional 30-day ceasefire to de-escalate the ongoing conflict.
Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Zelensky emphasized that only Putin holds the authority to enact a nationwide ceasefire in Russia, stating, “Absolutely everything in Russia depends on one person — and that is Putin.”
Zelensky said the ceasefire is a critical first step toward broader peace negotiations and urged the Russian leader to show up at the talks in Istanbul, noting that a refusal would signal Moscow’s unwillingness to pursue diplomacy.
“If he takes the step to say he is ready for a ceasefire, then it opens the way to discussing all the elements to end the war,” Zelensky said. “I’m not even mentioning that he is scared of direct talks with me.”
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Before traveling to Istanbul, Zelensky plans to meet with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in Ankara to discuss mediation efforts. The Ukrainian leader confirmed that if Putin agrees to attend the summit, he would fly to Istanbul immediately.
Zelensky called for “strong sanctions” from both the United States and the European Union if the talks fail to materialize, underscoring the need for continued global pressure on Moscow.
He also revealed that U.S. President Donald Trump had been invited to Thursday’s summit and is currently considering attending while traveling in the region. Trump expressed interest in joining the talks earlier this week, adding further diplomatic weight to the proposed meeting.
In a noteworthy development, Zelensky mentioned that China has signaled support for a 30-day ceasefire, positioning itself in favor of halting hostilities before more comprehensive peace talks begin.
With tensions still high, Zelensky’s call for direct dialogue with Putin marks a significant attempt to break the deadlock in negotiations. Whether Moscow will respond remains uncertain, but global eyes will be on Istanbul as the international community watches for signs of a diplomatic breakthrough.
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