Putin wants to negotiate, Zelenskyy challenges him

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has declared his willingness to hold direct talks with Vladimir Putin in Turkey next week in a bid to end the ongoing conflict.

The announcement came shortly after a post from Donald Trump urging Kyiv to accept the Russian president’s invitation.

“There is no point in prolonging the killings. And I will be waiting for Putin in Türkiye on Thursday. Personally,” Zelenskyy wrote on X.

Zelenskyy added that any talks would require Russia to observe a full, unconditional ceasefire beginning Monday to properly prepare for the negotiations.

Late last week, several European leaders also called on Russia to respect a 30-day ceasefire or face the threat of “massive” new economic sanctions.

While the Kremlin has expressed openness to direct negotiations with Ukraine, it has insisted that Western military aid must be halted before it will consider any ceasefire agreement.

The last direct talks between Moscow and Kyiv took place in March 2022—just one month after Russia first invaded Ukraine.

(QG - Source: BBC News — Picture : © Unsplash)