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.
Kazakhstan plans to raise its oil exports through the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline to 1.5 million tons this year, reinforcing energy and trade ties wi...
Kazakhstan is set to launch a large-scale industrial expansion in 2025, with the government committing $3 billion to implement 190 new projects nation...
A new Russian law will fine citizens up to 5,000 rubles for searching online for "extremist" content, raising concerns over digital privacy and self-c...
The European Commission has announced a new fee for non-EU travellers who do not require a visa to enter 30 European countries. Under the European Tra...
The President of Mongolia, Khurelsukh Ukhnaa, will pay his first-ever state visit to Tajikistan on 23rd July. The three-day visit will be held at the ...
Russian forces have launched attacks on two areas in Ukraine's border Sumy region, where Moscow has established a presence in recent months, according to authorities.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for 16th July, covering the latest developments you need to know.
European Union countries are close to reaching an agreement on a new package of sanctions against Russia, the bloc's foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said on Tuesday.
Russian air defences intercepted four Ukrainian drones targeting Moscow on Saturday, prompting brief flight suspensions at major airports in the capital and other cities.
The world’s biggest dance music festival faces an unexpected setback as a fire destroys its main stage, prompting a last-minute response from organisers determined to keep the party alive in Boom, Belgium.
Iran launched 18 ballistic missiles late Sunday targeting the U.S. military’s Al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar, the largest American installation in the Middle East.
Australian researchers have created a groundbreaking “biological AI” platform that could revolutionise drug discovery by rapidly evolving molecules within mammalian cells.
Australian researchers have pioneered a low-cost and scalable plasma-based method to produce ammonia gas directly from air, offering a green alternative to the traditional fossil fuel-dependent Haber-Bosch process.
A series of earthquakes have struck Guatemala on Tuesday afternoon, leading authorities to advise residents to evacuate from buildings as a precaution against possible aftershocks.
A new Russian law will fine citizens up to 5,000 rubles for searching online for "extremist" content, raising concerns over digital privacy and self-censorship.
A group of UN human rights experts and the family of two British nationals detained in Afghanistan are voicing serious concern over the declining health of the elderly couple, urging their immediate release and access to critical medical care.
Japan has begun investigating whether nickel-based stainless steel sheets shipped from China and Taiwan are being dumped on its market at up to 50 % below home-market prices, the trade and finance ministries said on Tuesday.
The United States has officially decided to leave UNESCO again, with the State Department citing ideological differences and UNESCO expressing deep regret over the move.
A F-7 fighter jet departed Kurmitola Air Force Base in Bangladesh at 1:06 p.m. local time for a routine training mission but experienced a mechanical failure shortly after take-off, killing at least 27 people, including 25 children on Monday according to the Bangladesh Air Force.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment