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Zelenskyy to Attend Türkiye Peace Talks on May 15, Expects Putin to Be There Too
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![Photo of Vlad Litnarovych]( "Photo of Vlad Litnarovych")
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will travel to Türkiye for peace talks on May 15 and expects Russian leader Vladimir Putin to attend, in accordance with a proposed ceasefire set to begin May 12.
“Here in Ukraine, we have absolutely no problem engaging in negotiations – we are ready for any format. I will be in Türkiye this Thursday, May 15, and I expect Putin to come to Türkiye as well. Personally. And I hope that this time, Putin won’t be looking for excuses as to why he ‘can’t’ make it. We are ready to talk, to end this war. Thursday. Türkiye,” Zelenskyy declared in a statement posted on Telegram on May 11.
His remarks follow a late-night offer from Russian leader Vladimir Putin to revive direct negotiations between Ukraine and Russia — a format last seen in the early weeks of Moscow’s full-scale invasion in 2022.
Putin said such talks could help establish a ceasefire but notably made no mention of the proposed May 12 truce date.
Zelenskyy said any serious move toward peace must begin with an immediate and sustained halt to the violence.
“Starting tomorrow, we await a ceasefire – this proposal is on the table. A full and unconditional ceasefire, one that lasts long enough to provide a necessary foundation for diplomacy, could significantly bring peace closer. Ukraine has long proposed this, our partners are proposing it, and the whole world is calling for it. We await a clear response from Russia. Russia will have to end this war anyway. The killings must stop.”
Ukrainian forces, he added, would observe a reciprocal ceasefire if Russia genuinely committed to one.
“Ukrainian forces will be ready to respond symmetrically – to ensure fairness. We have repeatedly heard from our partners that they are prepared to strengthen sanctions against Russia if Putin rejects a ceasefire. Time will tell.”
According to Axios, a senior Ukrainian official confirmed that Zelenskyy will travel to Türkiye for the proposed talks, even if Russia declines to implement the ceasefire scheduled to begin Monday, May 12.
US President Donald Trump has also weighed in, urging Ukraine to agree “immediately” to the meeting in Türkiye in hopes of “discussing an end to the bloodshed.” However, he added skepticism over Putin’s willingness to agree to any ceasefire terms.
Earlier, Zelenskyy called Russia’s proposal for direct peace talks a “good sign,” but stressed that negotiations can only proceed if Moscow confirms a full and lasting ceasefire starting May 12.
