Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has publicly challenged Russian President Vladimir Putin to meet in person for peace talks in Istanbul on Thursday. This proposal follows Putin’s rejection of a proposed 30-day ceasefire demanded by Ukraine and its European allies. Despite European leaders insisting on a ceasefire before any negotiations, and Ukraine initially aligning with this stance, pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump led Zelenskyy to offer direct talks. Trump, through a Truth Social post, urged Zelenskyy to meet Putin immediately, arguing it would clarify prospects for ending the conflict.
However, European leaders like Emmanuel Macron emphasised that no talks could occur while violence persists. Putin, while not agreeing to the ceasefire, signalled readiness for talks without confirming his attendance, possibly due to pressure from the U.S. administration. Despite ongoing hostilities, including a major drone assault on Ukraine, Putin framed his call for talks as a constructive step. The diplomatic exchanges highlight diverging strategies among Western allies and underscore ongoing challenges in reconciling Ukraine’s demand for security assurances with Russia’s pursuit of territorial and political concessions. The situation remains fluid with crucial decisions pending ahead of the proposed meeting date.
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