Zelensky announces a ceasefire and a personal meeting with Putin in Turkey: key events around negotiations and diplomatic efforts in the context of the war
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, in his latest statement on his official Telegram channel, expressed hope for a quick and comprehensive cessation of hostilities in eastern Ukraine. He also personally announced his intention to meet with Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin in Turkey on May 15 to conduct upcoming negotiations. This marks one of the most prominent signals in the diplomatic sphere regarding a possible resolution to the conflict that has been ongoing for over a year. According to Zelensky, the Ukrainian president believes in hearing from the Russian leadership and expects that starting May 12, a full and unequivocal ceasefire will begin, serving as the foundation for further diplomatic steps. "We are expecting from tomorrow a full and lasting end to the war — one that ensures a basis for negotiations," Zelensky emphasizes. "Of course, there is no point in continuing this war and dragging out the search for a peaceful solution. I will personally be waiting for Putin in Turkey on May 15. I hope that this time the Russians will not find reasons to refuse, and we will be able to start an open dialogue." The background of the conflict is multifaceted, and recent weeks have seen new developments. During a visit to Kyiv on May 10, the leaders of the "Coalition of Determined" issued a demand for the Kremlin to proceed with an unconditional cessation of hostilities starting May 12 and to impose a moratorium on military activities for at least 30 days. They stressed that if this demand is ignored, Europe and the U.S. are prepared to impose new, even stricter sanctions against Russia. To strengthen this initiative, a joint telephone conversation was held with U.S. President Donald Trump, which added further diplomatic resonance. Overall, the situation around the possibility of negotiations is gaining momentum. Zelensky states that Ukraine considers it crucial to achieve a full and unconditional truce lasting at least 30 days before engaging in serious peace talks. He believes this will be a necessary condition to return to the diplomatic process and seek compromises. Russian President Vladimir Putin, in a night statement on May 11, confirmed his readiness for "direct negotiations" with Kyiv. He also noted that he plans to meet with his Ukrainian counterpart in Istanbul, Turkey, on May 15, without mentioning the 30-day ceasefire previously discussed by Ukrainian and Western sanctions groups. "We are ready for negotiations, and their format will be determined by the situation and the mutual desire of the parties," Putin said. Earlier, on May 11, U.S. President Donald Trump stated that Ukraine should urgently agree to Russian leader Vladimir Putin's proposal to hold negotiations in Turkey on May 15. However, he emphasized that these consultations do not entail any commitments to a three-day ceasefire. "I call on Ukraine to quickly enter into dialogue with Russia. It is necessary to find a way to end the war and start the diplomatic process," Trump underscored in one of his recent statements. In this ambiguous and progressively evolving situation, Ukrainian authorities insist that any confirmation of a ceasefire, especially a personal meeting with Russian leadership in Turkey, would be a significant step toward ending the bloodshed and returning to diplomacy. At the same time, other parties—the U.S. and European allies—seek for this process to be transparent and conducted under clear and strict conditions. Regardless, recent events suggest that the diplomatic game surrounding the Ukraine-Russia conflict is reaching a new point of tension and possible resolution, contingent upon the willingness of the sides to make compromises and fulfill their commitments.