Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has extended a direct invitation to Russian President Vladimir Putin for peace talks in Istanbul, scheduled for Thursday, in a high-stakes bid to end the ongoing war that has lasted over three years. The proposal follows mounting international pressure for a ceasefire and renewed diplomatic efforts aimed at halting the conflict between the two nations.
Zelensky made the announcement via a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, stating his willingness to meet Putin in person, contingent upon Russia agreeing to a ceasefire beginning Monday. “There is no point in prolonging the killings,” Zelensky wrote, emphasizing the urgency of stopping the violence and kickstarting negotiations.
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This dramatic move came after former US President Donald Trump publicly urged Ukraine to accept Russia’s offer for direct talks in Türkiye. Trump highlighted the need to test the waters for a diplomatic breakthrough, saying, “At least they will be able to determine whether or not a deal is possible.”
Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin signaled a potential openness to discussions in a televised address, suggesting that “serious negotiations” could begin and that a truce might be considered. However, he stopped short of endorsing the 30-day ceasefire demanded by Western leaders and warned against Ukraine using any pause to acquire additional Western arms.
The Kremlin has consistently tied ceasefire discussions to a halt in military aid from the West, while remaining vague on specific terms for negotiations. Key issues like territorial control and sovereignty continue to divide the two sides.
The latest diplomatic push follows a major meeting in Kyiv where Zelensky hosted key European leaders, including UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, German opposition leader Friedrich Merz, and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk. Together, they proposed a 30-day ceasefire “in the air, at sea and on land,” aimed at opening space for diplomatic engagement.
The coalition of European leaders warned that Russia’s failure to comply could result in intensified sanctions, targeting its energy and financial sectors. British Prime Minister Starmer confirmed that US President Joe Biden is strongly backing the ceasefire initiative.
This renewed flurry of diplomatic activity represents the most significant peace overture since direct negotiations in Istanbul collapsed in March 2022. Despite a clear openness to dialogue from both Kyiv and Moscow, core disagreements remain. Ukraine continues to demand a complete Russian withdrawal from occupied territories, while Russia seeks recognition of its annexations and security assurances.
Zelensky’s public call to Putin marks a critical moment, potentially setting the stage for a turning point in the war. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov responded cautiously, stating that Moscow would “consider the proposal seriously,” but offered no confirmation of Putin’s attendance.
As the war drags on with mounting casualties, the possibility of face-to-face talks between Zelensky and Putin offers a tentative but hopeful sign of progress toward ending one of Europe’s deadliest modern conflicts.
