Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky has raised the stakes ahead of potential peace talks with Russia by declaring he will only participate if Russian President Vladimir Putin himself is present. The proposed talks, set to take place in Turkey this Thursday, come amid escalating international pressure on Moscow to agree to a ceasefire in the ongoing conflict.
Zelensky Demands Direct Talks with Putin
Responding to a call from US President Donald Trump, Zelensky confirmed he would travel to Turkey for talks only if Putin attends in person. Zelensky emphasized that any meeting without the Russian president would be a failure, stressing that “everything in Russia depends” on Putin’s direct involvement.
Putin’s Attendance Remains Uncertain
Despite Putin initially proposing the Turkey talks, Kremlin officials have been vague about whether he will actually attend. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated that the Russian delegation would only be announced after Putin’s order. Meanwhile, Trump suggested he might also attend the talks, stating Putin wanted him there and that Putin might not come without Trump.
International Pressure for a Ceasefire Mounts
European and US allies have issued a strict ultimatum to Moscow: agree to a 30-day ceasefire or face a new wave of sanctions, potentially including financial restrictions. French President Emmanuel Macron warned that sanctions could come “in the coming days” if Russia refuses to comply. The European Union recently imposed additional sanctions targeting Russia’s “shadow fleet” of oil tankers to enforce previous embargoes.
Diplomatic Uncertainty and On-the-Ground Conflict
Although direct talks between Putin and Zelensky have not happened since the early days of Russia’s 2022 invasion, the Turkish-facilitated talks offer a rare opportunity for dialogue. However, sources doubt Putin’s commitment to attend, with some Russian aides dismissing the talks as “pure spectacle.”
Meanwhile, fighting in eastern Ukraine continues, with Russian forces making incremental advances and increasing drone and missile attacks on Ukrainian cities. The frontline remains largely static, but the ongoing violence casts doubt on Moscow’s willingness to agree to a ceasefire.
US Role and Trump’s Possible Involvement
US officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio and special envoys, are slated to attend the talks as observers. Trump, currently traveling in the Gulf region, has left open the possibility of flying to Turkey to attend if he believes it could help achieve progress.
Looking Ahead
The success of the talks hinges heavily on Putin’s decision to attend and Russia’s willingness to commit to a ceasefire. European allies have signaled that failure to do so will trigger further punitive measures. As tensions remain high, the world watches closely to see if these talks mark a turning point in the conflict.
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For more background on the conflict, visit our detailed Ukraine-Russia Conflict Overview and Sanctions on Russia pages.