Zelensky Invites Putin to Peace Talks in Türkiye, Proposes Immediate 30-Day Ceasefire

Report by Safarti Tarjuman International Desk

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has extended an invitation to Russian President Vladimir Putin for a face-to-face meeting in Türkiye, urging Russia to agree to a 30-day ceasefire beginning Monday to pave the way for diplomatic negotiations.

In a statement released on social media platform X, Zelensky said Ukraine is prepared for “a full and lasting ceasefire” and confirmed he would be ready to meet Putin in Türkiye on Thursday. The Ukrainian leader emphasized that ending the violence is a priority and said he hopes Russia “won’t look for excuses” to avoid the meeting.

This initiative follows a fresh appeal from Ukraine’s Western allies—including the United Kingdom, France, Germany, and Poland—who visited Kyiv on Saturday and jointly called for an immediate, unconditional pause in hostilities to facilitate meaningful talks.

Zelensky’s chief of staff, Andriy Yermak, reinforced Ukraine’s position, stating that Kyiv will only engage in negotiations if Russia first agrees to halt military operations. “Russia must cease fire. Then everything else will follow. President Zelensky is ready to do everything possible to end the war. He is waiting for Putin,” Yermak declared.

While Putin has indicated a willingness to resume the format of the previously abandoned Istanbul talks from 2022, he has not formally accepted the ceasefire request proposed by Ukraine and its partners.

If accepted, Thursday’s meeting in Türkiye would mark the most significant direct engagement between the two sides in over two years, amid a war that has caused tens of thousands of deaths and massive destruction across Ukraine.