In a bold diplomatic maneuver, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has proposed direct, in-person peace talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Istanbul this Thursday, escalating hopes for a potential breakthrough in the ongoing war even as tensions remain high and ceasefire demands go unmet.
Zelenskyy’s surprise announcement followed a flurry of international diplomacy over the weekend, culminating in a statement rejecting prolonged bloodshed and urging an immediate ceasefire. “There is no point in prolonging the killings,” Zelenskyy said. “And I will be waiting for Putin in Türkiye on Thursday. Personally. I hope that this time the Russians will not look for excuses.”
The proposed meeting would mark the first direct contact between the two leaders since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in early 2022. No official negotiations have taken place between Kyiv and Moscow since March of that year, when talks in Istanbul fell apart.
Zelenskyy’s move came after Russian President Vladimir Putin dismissed a joint demand from Ukraine and four European powers, Britain, France, Germany, and Poland, for a 30-day ceasefire. Nevertheless, Putin signaled openness to negotiations, suggesting the two sides meet in Turkey for talks. Speaking in a late-night statement from the Kremlin, Putin said, “We are ready for serious talks with Ukraine, and we want to solve the root causes of the conflict.”
While European leaders have insisted that no dialogue can take place without a prior ceasefire, U.S. President Donald Trump broke ranks in a dramatic fashion. In a Truth Social post, Trump urged Zelenskyy to accept the invitation without delay. “President Putin doesn’t want a Cease Fire Agreement but wants to negotiate a possible end to the BLOODBATH. Ukraine should agree to this, IMMEDIATELY,” he wrote.
Trump’s post reportedly followed a joint call from Kyiv between him and the European leaders before they held a press conference backing a ceasefire-first approach. Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer warned that if Putin refused the ceasefire, the West would escalate sanctions and military support for Ukraine. “We will respond… We will ramp up sanctions and increase our military aid for Ukraine’s defence,” he said.
The Kremlin’s messaging appears carefully crafted to reject Europe’s ultimatum while appealing to the Trump administration’s more conciliatory stance on Moscow. In a subtle nod to Washington, Putin thanked the new U.S. administration for its “efforts to resolve the conflict.”
However, Trump’s public endorsement of Putin’s proposed talks has stirred unease within his own team. His Ukraine envoy, retired General Keith Kellogg, had previously voiced support for the European plan of an unconditional 30-day ceasefire before any negotiations begin. “Not the other way around,” Kellogg emphasized on X (formerly Twitter).
Behind the scenes, the Ukrainian side remains wary. Zelenskyy’s top aide, Andriy Yermak, had earlier said, “First a 30-day ceasefire, then everything else,” echoing France’s Emmanuel Macron, who wrote: “There can be no negotiations while weapons are speaking.”
Observers say Zelenskyy’s Istanbul gambit could be an effort to flip the narrative, portraying Ukraine as the side willing to talk peace while pressing Putin to show up or risk global condemnation. The Russian leader is known for avoiding spontaneous foreign trips, and it remains unclear whether he will attend or send envoys instead.
For now, the prospects of real progress remain uncertain. Kyiv and its allies are pushing for a full ceasefire and a comprehensive peace framework, including a European “reassurance force” on Ukrainian soil still under discussion. Meanwhile, Moscow continues to insist on territorial concessions and long-term security guarantees, signaling little change from its original war demands.
Adding to the skepticism, Russia launched a massive drone strike just hours after Putin’s latest statement, ending a short three-day ceasefire timed to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Soviet Union’s WWII victory. Kyiv dismissed the gesture as a “cynical PR move” meant to shield Moscow during its military parade, which was attended by the leaders of China and Brazil.
With both sides maneuvering diplomatically and militarily, the stage is set for a potentially pivotal moment in Istanbul. Whether it becomes a genuine step toward peace or just another round of political theatre remains to be seen.
