Image Credentials: Image Title: Zelenskyy Agrees to Meet Putin in Türkiye Amid Trump Pressure, Ceasefire Hopes Rise Source: (sora.chatgpt) Date: May 2025 Attribution: Created by AI-generated imagery (sora.chatgpt), and it does not depict a real-world scene.
By Staff Writer with Agencies
ISTANBUL — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has agreed to resume peace talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Istanbul later this week, marking a dramatic development in the ongoing war as global leaders, including US President Donald Trump, push for renewed diplomacy.
Zelenskyy made the announcement Sunday on X (formerly Twitter), confirming Ukraine’s acceptance of Russia’s proposal to restart negotiations in Türkiye. Talks initially began in March 2022 but collapsed shortly after. The new meeting is set to take place on Thursday, pending a ceasefire.
“We await a full and lasting ceasefire, starting tomorrow, to provide the necessary basis for diplomacy,” Zelenskyy stated. “There is no point in prolonging the killings. And I will be waiting for Putin in Türkiye on Thursday. Personally.”
The development follows a call between Trump and Zelenskyy, and increasing pressure from the U.S. president for Ukraine to accept the offer. Trump, who has pushed for a resolution to the war since returning to the presidency, posted a message on Truth Social on Sunday encouraging immediate dialogue.
“Putin doesn’t want to have a Cease Fire Agreement with Ukraine, but rather wants to meet on Thursday, in Türkiye, to negotiate a possible end to the BLOODBATH,” Trump wrote. “Ukraine should agree to this, IMMEDIATELY… HAVE THE MEETING, NOW.”
Trump also cast doubt on Putin’s sincerity, referencing the Russian president’s presence at Victory Day celebrations and calling for clarity on whether any deal is truly possible.
The ceasefire proposal, first floated by Zelenskyy and a coalition of European leaders on Saturday, calls for a 30-day halt to hostilities beginning May 12. The plan was supported by Germany, France, Poland, and the United Kingdom.
In a phone call earlier Sunday, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan welcomed Putin’s readiness to return to talks and reaffirmed Türkiye’s role as a neutral host. “Türkiye stands ready to facilitate meaningful negotiations that lead to a lasting solution,” Erdoğan said.
It remains unclear whether Russia will follow through with a ceasefire. While the Kremlin has not formally confirmed Putin’s attendance, the invitation to resume talks signals a possible thaw after months of stalled diplomacy and continued battlefield casualties.
As leaders prepare for Thursday’s high-stakes meeting, the international community watches closely to see whether this new chapter could mark a turning point in Europe’s deadliest conflict since World War II.
Related Tags: Ukraine, Russia, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Vladimir Putin, peace talks, Türkiye, Donald Trump, ceasefire, Istanbul negotiations, Erdoğan, Ukraine war, diplomacy, US foreign policy, Russia-Ukraine conflict, international relations, Victory Day, Truth Social