Zelenskyy agrees to meet Putin in Türkiye amid pressure from Trump

MOSCOW 

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Sunday on X that Ukraine accepts Russia’s proposal to resume peace talks in Istanbul, after US President Donald Trump urged Kyiv to agree to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s proposal.

He also said he is waiting for Russia to declare a ceasefire starting on Monday.

“We await a full and lasting ceasefire, starting tomorrow, to provide the necessary basis for diplomacy. There is no point in prolonging the killings. And I will be waiting for Putin in Türkiye on Thursday. Personally. I hope that this time the Russians will not look for excuses,” he said.

Last night, Russian President Vladimir Putin invited Kyiv to resume peace talks in Türkiye, which were interrupted in March 2022.

On Saturday, Zelenskyy, along with leaders from Germany, France, Poland, and the UK, suggested declaring a 30-day ceasefire starting May 12.

In a phone call today, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan told his Russian counterpart Putin that he was glad to hear him supporting continuing the Russia-Ukraine peace talks from where they left off in Istanbul in 2022.

Welcoming Putin’s statement on resuming peace talks between Russia and Ukraine in Istanbul, Erdogan said that Türkiye stands ready to host negotiations that will lead to a lasting solution.

Before Zelenskyy announced that Ukraine agreed to resume talks with Russia in Istanbul, Trump wrote on Truth Social that 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.

“Ukraine should agree to this, IMMEDIATELY. At least they will be able to determine whether or not a deal is possible, and if it is not, European leaders, and the U.S., will know where everything stands, and can proceed accordingly!”

He said he is beginning to doubt that Ukraine will reach an agreement with Putin, “who’s too busy celebrating the Victory of World War ll, which could not have been won (not even close!) without the United States of America.”

“HAVE THE MEETING, NOW,” the US president added.

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