Kyiv:Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has announced his readiness to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin for high-stakes peace talks in Istanbul on Thursday, following a direct call from former U.S. President Donald Trump urging immediate dialogue to halt the ongoing war.
In a statement shared on social media platform X (formerly Twitter) on Sunday, Zelensky confirmed that Ukraine was prepared for a nationwide ceasefire beginning Monday, aimed at creating a conducive environment for diplomacy.
“We expect a full ceasefire to start on Monday, to provide the necessary basis for diplomacy to end the war. And I will be waiting for Putin in Türkiye on Thursday,” Zelensky wrote.
The sudden breakthrough follows heightened international pressure to bring an end to the conflict that has devastated Ukraine since Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022. Sources close to the matter suggest that Donald Trump, who is currently campaigning for the 2024 U.S. presidential election re-run, directly contacted Zelensky over the weekend, pressing him to seize what he described as a “rare opportunity” to end hostilities.
While the Kremlin has not yet officially confirmed Putin’s attendance, Russian state media hinted at “constructive signals” from Kyiv and said the possibility of a face-to-face meeting was under review.
Analysts believe Türkiye, which has maintained diplomatic ties with both Kyiv and Moscow, could play a critical role in brokering a new phase of peace negotiations. Istanbul previously hosted rounds of unsuccessful talks in the early months of the war, but this latest development suggests a renewed willingness on both sides to consider political solutions.
The proposed ceasefire and meeting also come amid increasing war fatigue among both populations, deteriorating battlefield conditions, and mounting pressure from Western and non-aligned nations for a diplomatic resolution.
Further developments are expected over the next 48 hours as Ukrainian and Russian officials prepare for what could be the most significant diplomatic engagement since the war began.