Zelenskyy to visit Türkiye in bid to revive peace talks as Russia opts out

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has announced plans to visit Türkiye to revive stalled peace talks and potentially resume prisoner exchanges with Russia.

In a statement released via Telegram on Tuesday, the President said he would hold a series of meetings on Wednesday in Türkiye.

"We are preparing to intensify negotiations and have developed solutions we will propose to our partners. Bringing the war to an end is Ukraine's top priority. We are also working to resume exchanges and the return of war prisoners," Zelenskyy said. 

U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff is expected to join Zelenskyy in Türkiye according to a senior Turkish official although Zelenskyy is yet to specify where exactly he would be visiting and whom he will be meeting in the country.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov ruled out Russia's participation in the planned talks saying that Russia will not be sending a representative.

"For now, these contacts are taking place without Russian participation. We will await information on what would actually be discussed in Istanbul," Peskov told reporters.

Türkiye has provided a setting for low-level negotiations between Ukraine and Russia earlier this year resulting in exchanges of prisoners of war by both sides. 

This comes a day after France announced a 'historic deal' with Ukraine which will see the Kyiv purchase up to 100 Rafale planes, SAMP/T air-defense systems, air-defense radars, air-to-air missiles, and aerial bombs from France.

Fighting intensified over the weekend between Kyiv and Moscow with Russia targeting Ukraine's energy system as Kyiv intensifies long range strikes deep into Russia. 

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