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Zelenskyy: No One Knows What Russia Plans to Offer in Istanbul Peace Talks

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Vlad Litnarovych
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Zelenskyy: No One Knows What Russia Plans to Offer in Istanbul Peace Talks
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is pictured during a press conference with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz (not in the picture) in Berlin, Germany, on May 28, 2025. (Source: Getty Images)

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that neither Ukraine nor its partners have received any clear indication of what Russia intends to propose at the upcoming talks in Istanbul, casting doubt on Moscow’s seriousness about negotiations, Zelenskyy stated during his evening address on May 31.

“As of now, there is no clear information about what exactly the Russians plan to bring to Istanbul,” Zelenskyy said.

“We don’t have it, Türkiye doesn’t have it, and neither do the United States or other partners. And at this point, it looks far from serious.”

The Ukrainian President added that Kyiv is actively preparing for new rounds of diplomacy with both European and American partners.

Zelenskyy emphasized that the global community overwhelmingly supports a real ceasefire and a genuine diplomatic process—but warned that Russia continues to treat diplomacy as a game.

“Of course, everyone in the world wants diplomacy to work and for an actual ceasefire to take place. Everyone wants Russia to stop playing games with diplomacy and end the war,” Zelenskyy stated. “That should be the agenda of the meetings. We have already presented our agenda.”

He also expressed hope that the United States would continue to take a firm stance on sanctions against Moscow to help push toward peace.

“And we hope the American side will be decisive on the issue of sanctions – to help bring peace closer,” Zelenskyy added.

Earlier, Türkiye proposed hosting a high-level meeting between the leaders of the United States, Russia, and Ukraine—facilitated by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan—following a potential second round of talks in Istanbul.

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