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.
In a workshop surrounded by the wreckage of war, workers in Gaza are giving a second life to small leisure boats once used for family outings and swim...
Five Azerbaijani crew members were killed, and three others were injured after two cargo vessels were hit in a drone attack in the Sea of Azov, Azerba...
The United States has approved the possible sale of five Seahawk maritime helicopters to New Zealand in a deal valued at $1.5 billion, as Wellington m...
The United States has announced an additional $38 million to support efforts to contain the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo, as hea...
Armenians will vote on Sunday in a parliamentary election that will determine whether Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan secures a new mandate to pursue ...
Germany has failed to secure a rotating seat on the United Nations Security Council, ending decades of successful bids and prompting fresh debate about the country's diplomatic standing on the global stage.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has publicly invited Russian President Vladimir Putin to meet for direct talks aimed at ending the war between their countries, saying Ukraine remains ready for peace but will continue fighting if no agreement can be reached.
Germany's foreign minister Johann Wadephul has suggested that Berlin's strong backing of Ukraine and its close ties with Israel may have contributed to its failure to secure a seat on the United Nations Security Council.
Start your day informed with the AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top stories for the 3 June, covering the latest developments you need to know.
Five Azerbaijani crew members were killed, and three others were injured after two cargo vessels were hit in a drone attack in the Sea of Azov, Azerbaijan's Foreign Ministry said on Friday, as Russia blamed Ukraine for the strike.
The new AnewZ documentary, TARGET: Yerevan, builds its explosive case on exclusive, secret recordings originally published by Minval Politika.
Azerbaijan has strongly rejected allegations published by CNN claiming that its territory was used for Israeli military and intelligence operations against Iran, describing the report as entirely baseless and demanding a retraction.
Armenia will hold parliamentary elections on 7 June 2026, a vote that will shape the country’s political direction for the next five years. Understanding how the electoral system converts votes into parliamentary power is key to following the outcome and its wider regional implications.
Armenia’s National Assembly election on 7 June is increasingly being viewed not only as a domestic political contest, but also as a vote that could shape the future direction of the South Caucasus.
People across Gaza are facing a worsening humanitarian crisis, with millions struggling to access food, clean water, shelter and medical care as the conflict continues.
The United States has approved the possible sale of five Seahawk maritime helicopters to New Zealand in a deal valued at $1.5 billion, as Wellington moves to strengthen its armed forces.
The United States has announced an additional $38 million to support efforts to contain the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo, as health officials warn that the virus could spread further without stronger action.
More than 6,000 people gathered outside a vote-counting centre in Seoul on Friday night, demanding this week’s local elections be repeated after ballot shortages left some voters unable to cast their ballots.
The next time a goal goes in during a Champions League final, fans around the world could watch it from every angle at once — frozen, rotated and replayed in ways that were impossible only a few years ago.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment