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.
The Kremlin backed U.S. President Donald Trump's claim that Russia’s expulsion from the G8 in 2014 was a mistake but dismissed the relevance of the current G7, calling it “rather useless.”
A major wave of Russian drones and missiles struck Kyiv early Tuesday, killing 16 people, including a U.S. citizen, and injuring dozens as the capital faced one of the largest attacks since the war began.
A Russian drone attack on Kharkiv, Ukraine's second-largest city, has left at least three people dead and at least 64 others injured, including five children. The nine-minute strike on Tuesday involved 17 drones and caused fires and significant damage to residential and public areas in the city.
Proliferating conflict zones are an increasing burden on airline operations and profitability, executives say, as carriers grapple with missiles and drones, airspace closures, location spoofing and the shoot-down of another passenger flight.
As Germany considers providing long-range Taurus missiles to Ukraine, military experts warn the move could enable Kyiv to strike targets deep inside Russian territory, including Moscow — a shift that could escalate tensions and draw NATO closer to direct confrontation.
South Korea and NATO have agreed to set up a new consultative body focused on defence industry cooperation, aiming to deepen collaboration through joint development and procurement initiatives.
The European Commission has proposed a new EU Space Act to create a unified and competitive single market for space services and data, in a move to strengthen Europe’s position in the rapidly growing global space sector.
The World Bank has said it's approved more than $1 billion in new funding to support rebuilding efforts and infrastructure development in Iraq, Syria, and Lebanon.
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.
Iranian missiles struck multiple locations across Israel and neighbouring regions early Friday morning, including a Microsoft office complex, according to emergency responders and local media reports.
A high-speed tram derailment in central Gothenburg, Sweden, has left at least eight people injured late on Thursday (19 June), after the vehicle slammed into a snack bar on Avenyn Avenue.
Wizz Air has suspended all flights to and from Tel Aviv, Israel, and its European services to Amman, Jordan, effective immediately until 15 September due to escalating situation in the Middle East. Also, the air carrier temporarily suspended its flights between Astana, Kazakhstan, and Abu Dhabi.
China has unveiled a mosquito-sized bionic drone designed for covert military operations and battlefield reconnaissance, marking a major advance in micro-robotics and stealth technology as part of the country’s growing focus on next-generation warfare capabilities.
South Korea and NATO have agreed to set up a new consultative body focused on defence industry cooperation, aiming to deepen collaboration through joint development and procurement initiatives.
The World Bank has said it's approved more than $1 billion in new funding to support rebuilding efforts and infrastructure development in Iraq, Syria, and Lebanon.
U.S. President Donald Trump has demanded that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s corruption trial be cancelled, calling the case a “witch hunt” and suggesting Netanyahu should be pardoned.
The fragile ceasefire between Iran and Israel held for a second day on Wednesday, as U.S. President Donald Trump confirmed that American and Iranian officials are expected to engage in talks next week—marking a possible diplomatic shift after nearly two weeks of regional conflict.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Wednesday called on the European Union to strengthen trust and cooperation with China, saying the two sides should focus on mutual success rather than rivalry.
South Korea and NATO have agreed to set up a new consultative body focused on defence industry cooperation, aiming to deepen collaboration through joint development and procurement initiatives.
The European Commission has proposed a new EU Space Act to create a unified and competitive single market for space services and data, in a move to strengthen Europe’s position in the rapidly growing global space sector.
The World Bank has said it's approved more than $1 billion in new funding to support rebuilding efforts and infrastructure development in Iraq, Syria, and Lebanon.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment