Zelensky's masterstroke! The pressure is back on Putin

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has made a "diplomatic move" by inviting Vladimir Putin to meet in person for peace talks in Istanbul on Thursday. According to The Guardian, he took the initiative from Putin and is now putting pressure on him.

As the newspaper recalls, the demand for a 30-day ceasefire was raised on Saturday during a visit to Kiev by the leaders of Britain, France, Germany and Poland. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said that if Putin rejected the offer, sanctions would be tightened and military aid for Ukraine's defense would be increased in order to force Russia to return to the negotiating table.

In response, Putin accused Ukraine of violating previous ceasefire agreements, but said that he "nevertheless" offered to meet the two sides for talks, which he said could take place in Istanbul this Thursday.

According to the British newspaper, Putin's tone was clearly carefully calibrated to reject European demands, but also to create the impression of a constructive position in the eyes of the Trump administration, which until recently was much softer towards Moscow than towards Kiev. Putin specifically thanked the new US administration for its efforts to resolve the conflict:

"Trump's response suggests that the tactic may have succeeded, dealing a significant blow to Western unity. However, his post on the social network Truth Social also hinted at the frustration he reportedly expressed privately in recent days over Moscow's tough demands in the war in Ukraine," the publication states.

At the same time, by offering a direct meeting with Putin in Istanbul, Zelensky seized the initiative and is now putting pressure on the Russian president - who rarely travels spontaneously.

On May 10, Volodymyr Zelensky, together with European leaders, issued an ultimatum to Putin: either Russia agrees to a comprehensive unconditional ceasefire starting Monday or face a new package of sanctions from Europe and America.

The Russian president then made a statement in which he avoided a direct answer to the question of whether Russia agrees to the ceasefire, but suggested that direct peace talks with Ukraine should begin in Turkey. Donald Trump responded to this on social media by saying that Ukraine should immediately agree to negotiate with Russia in Turkey.

Zelensky responded by saying that he would arrive in Turkey on Thursday and hoped that Putin would also come to the talks.