Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said he is ready to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin face-to-face to discuss a ceasefire.
This comes not long after United States President Donald Trump took to Truth Social to urge the Ukrainian President to agree to talks with Putin.
“President Putin of Russia doesn’t want to have a Cease Fire Agreement with Ukraine, but rather wants to meet on Thursday, in Turkey, to negotiate a possible end to the BLOODBATH,” Trump posted.
“Ukraine should agree to this, IMMEDIATELY.”
In response, Zelensky said he was looking to negotiate while in Turkey and hopes that Putin is ready to come up with a long-term solution to the war.
“We are ready to talk, to end this war. Thursday. Türkiye. President Trump has expressed support. All the leaders support this,” he said on X.
He said that the killings need to stop and that Russia has to end the war.
“A full and unconditional ceasefire, one that lasts long enough to provide a necessary foundation for diplomacy, could significantly bring peace closer,” he said.
“Ukrainian forces will be ready to respond symmetrically — to ensure fairness. We have repeatedly heard from our partners that they are prepared to strengthen sanctions against Russia if Putin rejects a ceasefire.”
Western leaders have recently called for Putin to agree to a 30-day unconditional ceasefire with Ukraine.
In a late-night address, Putin invited Ukraine to take part in “serious negotiations” over the war, which has been ongoing since 2022. He said he didn’t rule out the possibility of Russia agreeing to a new truce, but did not address the 30-day ceasefire.
