Kyiv [Ukraine], May 12 (ANI): Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has agreed to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin this week, shortly after US President Donald Trump urged him to “immediately” accept the Russian leader’s proposal for peace talks in Turkey, CNN reported.
Following a meeting in Kyiv on Saturday, European allies of Ukraine issued an ultimatum to Russia: agree to an unconditional 30-day ceasefire in Ukraine by Monday or face severe new sanctions. The ultimatum was supported by US President Trump, according to Germany’s new chancellor, Friedrich Merz.
In a late-night address, Putin did not directly respond to the ceasefire ultimatum. Instead, he proposed “direct talks” with Ukraine in Turkey on Thursday — a move that could mark the first face-to-face negotiation between the two leaders since the onset of the war in 2022.
While European allies insisted that Putin must agree to the unconditional ceasefire before any negotiations, Trump called for Ukraine to accept the meeting offer immediately, posting on Truth Social, “HAVE THE MEETING, NOW!!!”
Shortly afterward, President Zelenskyy confirmed his willingness to meet Putin in Turkey, stating on X, “I will be waiting for Putin in Turkiye on Thursday. Personally. I hope that this time the Russians will not look for excuses.” He noted that a “full and lasting ceasefire” from Monday would be the ideal foundation for diplomatic talks, though he did not make it a strict precondition for his participation.
As the international community continues to push for a ceasefire, the focus has now shifted to the potential meeting between the two leaders. Despite the ceasefire call, European nations have not yet confirmed whether they will proceed with the planned sanctions if Russia does not halt military actions by Monday.
The proposed direct talks come at a pivotal moment as both nations remain entrenched in a protracted conflict. The outcome of the potential meeting could significantly influence the trajectory of the ongoing war. (ANI)
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