ALBAWABA- For the first time since the war began in February 2022, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin may come face-to-face in Istanbul on Thursday.
The possible meeting, brokered by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, marks a major development in long-stalled diplomatic efforts to end the war.
U.S. President Donald Trump, currently on a tour of the Gulf region, has welcomed Turkey’s mediation and expressed interest in joining the talks, but only if Putin confirms his attendance.
"If Putin shows up, I might head to Turkey too," Trump told reporters on Wednesday, reinforcing his desire to broker a peace deal during his presidency.
President Zelensky, in a post on X, confirmed preparations for a potential meeting in Türkiye but voiced skepticism over Russia’s intentions. "We’re waiting to see who Russia sends. Their signals remain unconvincing," he said, adding that Trump’s presence could “become the strongest argument” for meaningful talks.
Despite the diplomatic buzz, sources close to the Kremlin have told Meduza and other outlets that Putin has no plans to accept Zelensky’s invitation. Russian officials are reportedly preparing justifications for Putin’s likely absence, casting doubt on any breakthrough.
While the meeting, if it happens, may not yield immediate results, any direct engagement between Kyiv and Moscow would be a symbolic step toward reopening dialogue.
It would also be the highest-level contact between the two nations since Russia launched its full-scale invasion more than three years ago.
Zelensky praised Turkey and other international actors for increasing pressure on Moscow, saying, “Russia is prolonging the war and the killings. I thank every country and every leader pushing for a ceasefire and a real negotiation framework.”
