Zelenskyy says he will attend Ukraine talks if Putin is present

Ukrainian President Zelenskyy stated he would participate in upcoming talks on the war in Ukraine only if President Putin is also present, as diplomatic efforts led by the U.S. focus on securing a temporary ceasefire.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Tuesday he would attend talks on the war in Ukraine this week only if Russian President Vladimir Putin is also present. The discussions are scheduled to take place in Istanbul on Thursday.

The Kremlin has not confirmed whether Putin will attend. The Istanbul meeting is part of renewed diplomatic efforts led by U.S. President Donald Trump, who is sending senior envoys Steve Witkoff and Keith Kellogg, according to three sources familiar with the plans. Trump has also offered to join the talks.

Zelenskyy said he aimed to negotiate an unconditional 30-day ceasefire as a starting point towards ending the war and added that Putin's involvement was necessary, given his influence over Russian decision-making.

“If he takes the step to say he is ready for a ceasefire, then it opens the way to discussing all the elements to end the war,” Zelenskyy said.

While both Kyiv and Moscow have indicated interest in peace efforts since the U.S. intensified its involvement, there remains no agreed roadmap. On Sunday, Putin proposed direct talks with Ukraine, following an earlier Ukrainian call for a 30-day ceasefire. President Trump has publicly supported that proposal.

The Ukrainian side reiterated on Tuesday that any negotiations should be preceded by a ceasefire. Zelenskyy's chief of staff, Andriy Yermak, said Ukraine remains committed to this position.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov did not confirm Russian representation at the Istanbul talks, stating only that an announcement would be made if the president decided to participate.

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said Moscow remained open to negotiations but questioned Kyiv’s readiness to engage in talks. He noted that Russia expected discussions to reflect the current realities on the ground, including areas under Russian control that Moscow regards as part of its territory.

U.S. officials have reportedly proposed a 30-day ceasefire covering land, air, sea, and critical infrastructure. European countries have expressed support for the ceasefire and indicated that further sanctions could be imposed on Russia if progress is not made.

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