Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has indicated his willingness to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin for the first time since the war began.
The proposed meeting could take place in Turkey as early as Thursday, following Putin’s public offer of dialogue and calls from US President Donald Trump for Ukraine to enter negotiations “immediately.”
Stay up to date on the latest news with The National Briefing – keeping you in the loop with news as it hits:
“I will be waiting for Putin in Türkiye on Thursday. Personally. I hope that this time the Russians will not look for excuses,” Zelensky posted on X.
Speaking on Sunday, he welcomed the proposal as “positive” but said a 30-day ceasefire would be required before any talks could proceed.
Despite not providing a clear response, Putin held a late-night news conference, with Russian media reporting that the President is “considering the invitation.”
The Ukrainian President’s office stated that any meeting would focus on establishing the conditions for a lasting ceasefire and the withdrawal of Russian forces from occupied territory.
Putin spoke with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Sunday.
While Ankara confirmed it is ready to host the negotiations, a statement from the Turkish presidency indicated support for Ukraine’s position, stating that a ceasefire must precede any talks.
“Noting that a window of opportunity to achieve peace has opened, President Erdoğan said that a comprehensive ceasefire would create the necessary environment for peace talks,” said the statement.
However, the statement did not clarify whether Turkey would still host the talks if Russia refused to agree to a ceasefire.
Subscribe to The Briefing, Australia’s fastest-growing news podcast on LiSTNR today. The Briefing serves up the latest news headlines and a deep dive into a topic affecting you. All in under 20 minutes.