KYIV, May 11 – A major diplomatic shift may be unfolding in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has publicly agreed to meet Vladimir Putin for direct peace talks in Turkey on May 15. The move follows a dramatic call from former U.S. President Donald Trump, who urged Ukraine to immediately accept Russia's offer.
The announcement comes after European leaders demanded a 30-day ceasefire starting Monday, threatening new sanctions if Moscow failed to comply. However, President Putin countered with a proposal for immediate talks — without a ceasefire precondition.
“I will be waiting for Putin in Türkiye on Thursday. Personally,” Zelenskiy declared on X (formerly Twitter).
His Chief of Staff, Andriy Yermak, added on Telegram: “What about Putin? Is he afraid? We'll see.”
Putin made the proposal during a late-night televised address on Saturday, which aired during U.S. primetime. While it remains unclear whether Putin intends to attend the talks in person, the proposal marks a potential turning point — as the two leaders have not met face-to-face since December 2019.
Trump Intervenes: “Agree Immediately”
In a surprising twist, Donald Trump weighed in via Truth Social, stating:
"President Putin of Russia doesn’t want to have a Cease Fire Agreement with Ukraine, but rather wants to meet on Thursday, in Turkey, to negotiate a possible end to the BLOODBATH. Ukraine should agree to this, IMMEDIATELY."
Trump emphasized that exploring peace, even without a ceasefire, would clarify whether a deal is possible — a move he believes is critical before more action is taken by the West.
What’s Next?
While Zelenskiy had previously conditioned talks on a 30-day truce, this latest development suggests he may now be prioritizing diplomatic engagement over preconditions.
Whether the May 15 talks in Turkey will proceed — and whether they will yield results — remains uncertain. But if they do happen, it could be the most significant step toward ending the conflict since early 2022.
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