Kyiv: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has extended an invitation to Russian President Vladimir Putin for direct talks in Turkey, following former U.S. President Donald Trump’s public call for Kyiv to immediately accept Moscow’s proposal for negotiations.
Zelenskiy’s offer to meet Putin in person marks a dramatic shift in the diplomatic standoff, culminating in a whirlwind 48 hours during which European leaders joined Ukraine in pushing for a 30-day ceasefire starting Monday. Putin, however, countered with a proposal for direct talks instead—potentially the first such meeting between the two nations since the early stages of the 2022 invasion.
President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said he is ready to meet Vladimir Putin for direct talks on ending the war though the Russian president stopped short of committing to the Ukrainian precondition of a ceasefire https://t.co/840CFwqDTU pic.twitter.com/uS46HB9Pzq
— Reuters (@Reuters) May 11, 2025
Despite Putin’s statement, it remains uncertain whether the Russian leader actually intends to attend in person. Since their last meeting in December 2019, the two presidents have remained openly hostile, with no direct contact.
“I will be waiting for Putin in Türkiye on Thursday. Personally,” Zelenskiy wrote on X. “I hope that this time the Russians will not look for excuses.”
On Telegram, his chief of staff, Andriy Yermak, added: “What about Putin? Is he afraid? We’ll see.”
Putin’s proposal, delivered in a late-night televised address, coincided with U.S. prime time and came just hours after several major European countries, gathered in Kyiv, demanded he agree to an unconditional 30-day ceasefire or face intensified sanctions. Trump’s Ukraine envoy, Keith Kellogg, endorsed that European stance.
Trump Pushes for Negotiations
While Zelenskiy had said Ukraine remained open to talks if Russia agreed to the proposed ceasefire, Trump adopted a contrasting tone.
“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. Ukraine should agree to this, IMMEDIATELY,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
“At least they will be able to determine whether or not a deal is possible, and if it is not, European leaders, and the U.S., will know where everything stands, and can proceed accordingly!”
Both Kyiv and Moscow are trying to influence Trump, who remains a powerful figure in U.S. foreign policy circles. Ukraine is seeking continued military support from Washington, while Russia is eyeing an opportunity to ease sanctions and re-engage with the global economy.
Putin launched the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, igniting a war that has resulted in the deaths of hundreds of thousands and prompted the most serious East-West confrontation since the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962. Despite battlefield advances by Russian forces, the Kremlin has shown little willingness to offer substantial concessions.
In his overnight speech, Putin said he supported “direct negotiations without any preconditions.” Yet hours later, Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov clarified that the talks must consider both a shelved 2022 draft peace agreement and the current territorial realities on the ground—effectively demanding that Kyiv acknowledge Russia’s control over occupied regions.
Kyiv has rejected the 2022 draft framework as unacceptable, viewing its terms as equivalent to surrender. The proposal includes Ukraine adopting permanent neutrality in exchange for vague security assurances, alongside recognition of Russia’s territorial gains.
Putin Rejects Ceasefire Pressure
Putin dismissed what he characterized as “ultimatums” issued by European and Ukrainian officials demanding a Monday ceasefire. Russia’s foreign ministry added that a discussion of the root causes of the conflict must precede any talk of halting hostilities.
Trump, continuing his narrative of potential peacemaking, welcomed Putin’s offer as a diplomatic opening. “A potentially great day for Russia and Ukraine!” he declared following the Russian president’s address.
Although Moscow has not officially agreed to Kyiv’s ceasefire proposal, Zelenskiy confirmed that Ukraine’s plan for a truce would proceed.
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“We await a full and lasting ceasefire, starting from tomorrow, to provide the necessary basis for diplomacy,” he posted on X.
In his nightly address, Zelenskiy reiterated that Ukraine is still waiting for a clear response from Russia. He warned that Ukrainian forces would mirror Russian actions if Moscow fails to observe the truce.
Meanwhile, the U.S. embassy in Kyiv has issued a warning of a “potentially significant” Russian air attack expected in the coming days, underscoring the fragile nature of any diplomatic overture.
