By Ollus Ndomu
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Sunday night he is prepared to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin “personally” in Istanbul on Thursday, in what could mark the most significant diplomatic overture since the war began more than three years ago.
“There is no point in prolonging the killings,” Zelensky posted on X. “And I will be waiting for Putin in Türkiye on Thursday. Personally.”
The announcement came hours after former U.S. President Donald Trump publicly urged Ukraine to accept Putin’s offer for direct peace talks, which followed a weekend diplomatic push in Kyiv by European leaders calling for a 30-day pause in hostilities.
In his post, Zelensky reiterated that any negotiations must be preceded by a ceasefire.
“We await a full and lasting ceasefire, starting from tomorrow, to provide the necessary basis for diplomacy,” he said.
Zelensky’s offer follows growing international pressure to de-escalate the war, which has displaced millions and reshaped Europe’s security architecture. The so-called “coalition of the willing,” a bloc of European nations pushing for a diplomatic solution, met in Kyiv on Saturday, proposing a one-month suspension of fighting beginning Monday.
Putin, in a Saturday night address from Moscow, responded by inviting Ukraine to join in what he termed “serious negotiations.” While stopping short of endorsing the 30-day ceasefire, he said he “could not rule out” a new truce emerging from direct talks.
“This would be the first step towards a long-term, lasting peace,” Putin said, “rather than a prologue to more armed hostilities after the Ukrainian armed forces get new armaments and personnel.”
The Kremlin has not yet confirmed whether Putin will attend Thursday’s proposed meeting in Istanbul.
Trump, writing on his Truth Social platform Sunday, called for Ukraine to accept the offer immediately, arguing it would bring needed clarity.
“At least they will be able to determine whether or not a deal is possible, and if it is not, European leaders, and the US, will know where everything stands, and can proceed accordingly,” he wrote. “Have the meeting, now!”
The war, launched by Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022, has cost tens of thousands of lives and drained billions in military support from Western countries.
Zelensky’s readiness to meet face-to-face signals a potential turning point; if Russia reciprocates. The world now watches Ankara, where a personal handshake could become the first step toward ending Europe’s deadliest conflict in decades.
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