Ukraine president Volodymyr Zelensky says he is ready to meet Russian president Vladimir Putin “personally” for talks over ending the war in Istanbul on Thursday this week.
“There is no point in prolonging the killings. And I will be waiting for Putin in Türkiye on Thursday. Personally,” Mr Zelensky said on X, shortly after Donald Trump demanded Ukraine agree to Mr Putin’s offer of direct talks between the two countries.
The US president urged Ukraine to agree to Mr Putin’s proposal “immediately”. HAVE THE MEETING, NOW!!!, he said.
Ukraine and Europe have proposed a 30-day ceasefire, which was backed by Washington, while Mr Putin said Russia was seeking “serious negotiations” and suggested direct talks in Istanbul on Thursday – marking the first time he has agreed to direct talks on Ukraine.
This comes as Mr Trump appeared to mock the Russian leader’s Second World War victory parade in Moscow attended by world leaders. Mr Trump said it was unlikely Ukraine could make a deal with Mr Putin because the Russian leader was “too busy celebrating the victory of World War II”.
