Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has taken a firm stance ahead of a potential summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin, declaring that he will only engage in discussions with Putin directly, rather than intermediaries. Zelenskyy has announced plans to travel to Turkey for talks, following a suggestion from US President Donald Trump that he meet with the Russian leader.
Putin had previously floated the idea of direct negotiations between Moscow and Kyiv, responding to a ceasefire ultimatum from European allies of Ukraine. During an interview with CNN, Zelenskyy emphasized that any outcome other than a ceasefire would be considered a failure.
While Trump confirmed that US Secretary of State Marco Rubio would attend the Istanbul talks, he mentioned that he might also journey to Turkey if he believed it could be beneficial. However, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov has not confirmed whether Putin will attend, stating that a decision would be made public when deemed necessary.
Amid rising international pressure on Russia to accept a US-backed ceasefire plan, Zelenskyy reiterated that he was not interested in meeting other Russian officials since all decisions ultimately rest with Putin. He views the proposed meeting as crucial to ending the war, stating, “I am ready to meet Putin and end the war through direct talks.”
Despite Zelenskyy’s optimism, analysts express scepticism regarding the meeting’s potential success, with some interpreting the Kremlin’s comments as groundwork for Putin to decline the invitation. European diplomats have also indicated they have low expectations for the talks, suspecting Putin may not reveal himself.
Notably, Zelenskyy suggested Trump’s presence could motivate Putin to attend, expressing support for Trump’s call for direct discussions. Top officials from Trump’s administration are set to observe the Turkish-mediated talks, while the situation in eastern Ukraine remains volatile, with Russian forces continuing military operations.
While the frontline has seen no significant shifts recently, Russian troops persist in their aggression, suggesting a ceasefire is not on the immediate horizon. The Institute for the Study of War reported that Russia has deployed a ceremonial regiment to the frontline, likely intended to instil concern about possible future advances.
In summary, as talks loom in Turkey, the stakes are high with contrasting expectations from both sides, highlighted by Zelenskyy’s commitment to negotiate only with Putin, alongside a backdrop of ongoing military tensions in Ukraine.