According to the American news website Axios, Zelensky is prepared to travel to Turkey even if there is no ceasefire agreement from Russia
Sources within the publication indicate that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky plans to arrive in Istanbul on May 15 to participate in the negotiations scheduled by the Russian side, despite the Kremlin not providing any guarantees regarding a ceasefire and continuing active hostilities from May 12. Ukrainian government sources reported that Zelensky “will be present in Turkey on Thursday, even if Russia does not agree to a ceasefire.” This means that the Ukrainian leader is taking a risky step by going to a diplomatic meeting with the Russian delegation without prior assurances of a stable ceasefire. The background to this situation involves several key events and statements. On the night of May 11, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced that he intends to hold “direct negotiations” with Kyiv, scheduled for May 15 in Istanbul. However, Putin's initial comments did not include any direct confirmation of a 30-day ceasefire, which had previously been discussed and expected in Ukrainian and international circles. Putin emphasized the need for personal negotiations with the Ukrainian leadership, alluding to the possibility of a constructive dialogue, but without making clear promises regarding a ceasefire. On the other hand, U.S. President Donald Trump also made statements on May 11. He called for Ukraine to immediately agree to provocations by the Kremlin to negotiate in Turkey, stressing that these talks should proceed even without the prior implementation of a thirty-day ceasefire. Trump highlighted that, given the current circumstances, kompromis and negotiations are the safest options for saving lives and stopping the escalation of the conflict. As the official Ukrainian spokesperson notes, expectations for prolonged negotiations in Turkey increased even before the talks—at the end of last week. According to recent statements, President Zelensky hopes that Russia will finally take a step forward and agree to a ceasefire starting May 12, and he himself is prepared to meet personally with Vladimir Putin in Istanbul to discuss the future peace and possible diplomatic de-escalation. At the same time, sources within Ukrainian diplomacy and government express skepticism about Kremlin’s intentions. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiga stated that, in his opinion, Russia demonstrates distrust and lacks the political courage for real concessions. Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Zelensky "vigorously and insistently proposes a personal meeting with Putin in Turkey." This reflects the high level of political will from the Ukrainian leadership and their readiness to take risks in efforts to find a political solution to end the prolonged war. Overall, the upcoming meeting in Istanbul is expected to become one of the most significant diplomatic moments in the context of the current conflict. It remains unclear whether the parties will be able to find a compromise without prior conditions for ceasing hostilities. However, Ukrainian leadership emphasizes the importance of dialogue, even if it takes place under difficult and unpredictable circumstances. The world will be watching to see what decisions will be made in Istanbul and whether this diplomatic step can help reduce tensions and lay the groundwork for genuine peace on Ukrainian soil.