Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced he will meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Turkey on Thursday, following pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump to “immediately” accept Putin’s proposal for direct negotiations.
Putin’s televised statement late Friday called for talks in Istanbul on May 15, without preconditions. Hours later, Zelenskyy confirmed: “I will be waiting for Putin in Türkiye on Thursday. Personally.”
The announcement came after Trump posted on Truth Social, urging Ukraine to attend:
“President Putin of Russia doesn’t want to have a Cease Fire Agreement with Ukraine, but rather wants to meet… Ukraine should agree to this, IMMEDIATELY.”
European leaders had earlier demanded a 30-day ceasefire, threatening further sanctions. Putin rejected those terms, labeling them “ultimatums.”
While Zelenskyy initially insisted on a ceasefire before talks, Trump’s message appears to have influenced his shift. Trump has promised to end the war and said this moment could be “a potentially great day for Russia and Ukraine.”
However, Russian officials later indicated talks must consider both a 2022 draft peace deal and current territorial control, signaling continued demands that Ukraine remain neutral and recognize Russia’s hold on parts of its territory.
Whether substantive progress is made remains uncertain — but the stage is now set for the first direct talks between the two leaders since Russia’s 2022 invasion.
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