KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — On Sunday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy publicly challenged Russian President Vladimir Putin to meet him in Turkey on Thursday. This development marks the latest in an ongoing exchange of proposals between both countries regarding the next steps in the U.S.-led peace initiative. Zelenskyy expressed his hope for a ceasefire with Russia beginning Monday and stated he would "personally" wait for Putin in Turkey after U.S. President Donald Trump urged Ukraine to accept Russia’s proposal to hold direct talks in Turkey on that date.
Zelenskyy's administration, along with European allies, had previously called for an unconditional 30-day ceasefire starting Monday before any negotiations could take place. However, Moscow rejected this demand, advocating instead for direct negotiations without preconditions. It remains unclear whether Zelenskyy conditioned his participation in Turkey on the ceasefire being implemented from Monday, and the Kremlin has yet to comment on whether Putin will participate in the meeting.
In a post on social media platform X, Zelenskyy emphasized the necessity of a full and lasting ceasefire to facilitate diplomatic discussions, arguing there was no reason to extend the violence. "I will be waiting for Putin in Turkey on Thursday. Personally. I hope that this time the Russians will not look for excuses," he said. Earlier, Trump had called on Ukraine to agree to the peace talks proposal "IMMEDIATELY," suggesting it would clarify whether a deal might be achievable.
On Saturday, Zelenskyy met with European leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, who collectively urged a 30-day truce starting Monday. The joint stance has gained support from both the European Union and Trump, who indicated stronger sanctions against Russia should Putin decline the proposal.
Putin addressed the media and effectively dismissed the ceasefire request, instead proposing to restart direct talks with Ukraine in Istanbul on Thursday. He emphasized the need for a truce that would lead to a "lasting peace," rather than one that could allow Ukraine to rearm. Zelenskyy viewed Russia's acknowledgment of the necessity to consider ending the war as a positive sign, yet reiterated that a ceasefire must precede any negotiations.
The only previous meeting between Putin and Zelenskyy took place in 2019, and Zelenskyy's calls for further personal discussions early in the war have largely gone unanswered, leading to his decree in September 2022 that negotiations had become impossible. Macron reinforced Western skepticism regarding Putin’s intentions, asserting that an unconditional ceasefire must come before any negotiations commence.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov characterized the proposal for negotiations as "very serious," aimed at resolving the conflict’s underlying issues. Meanwhile, Trump described the situation as potentially "a great day for Russia and Ukraine," urging both sides to come together to end the conflict and shift focus towards rebuilding and trade.
After a three-day pause, Russia resumed drone attacks in Ukraine, launching 108 attack drones. Ukraine's air force reported that 60 were intercepted, while others failed to reach their targets. The Russian Defense Ministry accused Ukraine of violating Moscow's ceasefire, which it asserted had been breached over 14,000 times. In response, Ukraine has labeled the ceasefire arrangement a farce, accusing Russia of continuing hostilities.
As geopolitical tensions continue to escalate, President Zelenskyy remains adamant in his expectation for a ceasefire to initiate on Monday. He indicated he is still awaiting a clear response from Russia regarding the proposed truce, and monitoring the reactions from Western allies who have prepared to implement sanctions if the ceasefire is disregarded. Russia has also accused Ukraine of launching a missile strike in the Kursk region, further complicating the war’s already volatile landscape.
