Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on May 11 via his X account that he is prepared to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin for direct talks in Istanbul this coming Thursday.
According to Zelensky, he has accepted Russia’s offer to engage in face-to-face negotiations on May 15 and will personally be present in Istanbul to meet the Russian leader.
At the same time, he underscored the importance of a halt to hostilities beginning Monday, aligning with statements made by both Ukrainian and European officials the previous day.
“We await a full and lasting ceasefire, starting from tomorrow, to provide the necessary basis for diplomacy. There is no point in prolonging the killings. And I will be waiting for Putin in Türkiye on Thursday. Personally,” wrote the President of Ukraine.
This development follows the May 10 visit to Kyiv by leaders from the so-called “coalition of the resolute,” who demanded that Russia agree to an unconditional 30-day ceasefire beginning May 12. They also warned of new coordinated sanctions from Europe and the United States should Moscow fail to comply.
