Zelenskyy Hopes For Ceasefire, Says He’ll Personally Wait For Putin In Turkey

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenksyy, expressed hope for a complete and temporary ceasefire agreement with Russia commencing Monday. He announced plans to personally negotiate with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Turkey. Zelenskyy’s statements followed U.S. President Donald Trump’s insistence that Ukraine accept Russia’s proposal for direct talks in Turkey on Thursday. Initially, Ukraine and its European allies had demanded a 30-day unconditional ceasefire from Monday before engaging in negotiations, which Moscow rejected in favor of direct talks.

Zelenskyy emphasized the importance of a ceasefire to pave the way for diplomatic efforts, urging for an end to violence. He mentioned his upcoming meeting with Putin in Turkey and hoped for a constructive dialogue without delays. Trump urged Ukraine to accept Putin’s offer promptly to assess the possibility of reaching an agreement. Meanwhile, European leaders and the U.S. had vowed to impose stricter sanctions on Russia if it did not comply with the ceasefire demand.

Zelenskyy welcomed Russia’s willingness to consider ending the conflict but reiterated the necessity of a ceasefire as a fundamental step towards peace. Putin proposed direct negotiations in Istanbul without preconditions, aiming for a lasting resolution. Macron, among other European leaders, expressed skepticism towards Moscow’s intentions, emphasizing the need for an unconditional ceasefire before talks. Erdogan confirmed Turkey’s readiness to host the negotiations between Ukraine and Russia, signaling a potential breakthrough in resolving the conflict.

On another note, Russia resumed drone attacks in Ukraine after a three-day pause, while accusing Ukraine of violating the ceasefire multiple times. Ukraine’s air force reported intercepting and neutralizing a significant number of drones launched by Russia.