High-Stakes Talks: Zelensky Sets Conditions for Putin Meeting
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has raised the stakes ahead of potential talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Turkey, insisting that he will only meet with Putin himself, as “everything in Russia depends” on him. This development comes after US President Donald Trump urged Zelensky to meet with Putin, and the Russian leader proposed direct talks in response to a ceasefire-or-sanctions ultimatum from Ukraine’s European allies.
The potential meeting, set to take place in Turkey on Thursday, has garnered significant international attention, with Zelensky stating that anything less than a ceasefire agreement would be considered a failure. Trump has expressed optimism about the talks, saying they “could produce some pretty good results,” and has even hinted at the possibility of attending himself if it might be helpful. However, the Kremlin has yet to confirm whether Putin will attend, with spokesperson Dmitry Peskov saying that the decision will be announced “in due course”.
As the situation on the ground in eastern Ukraine remains dire, with Russian troops making gradual gains and launching frequent attacks, the prospects for a ceasefire appear uncertain. The Institute for the Study of War has noted that Russian officials are already setting conditions for Putin to reject the meeting, casting doubt on the likelihood of a successful outcome.
