Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said today that he wants to negotiate an unconditional 30-day ceasefire face-to-face with Vladimir Putin during talks in Istanbul on Thursday, as only the Russian president can introduce such a pause, Reuters reported, quoted by BTA.
Accusing Putin of being "afraid" of meeting with him, Zelensky said he expected "strong sanctions" from the United States and the European Union if the talks did not take place, stressing that an unsuccessful meeting would show that Russia is not ready for diplomacy.
The Ukrainian president told journalists that since "absolutely everything in Russia" It depends on Putin, the only way to achieve a ceasefire and end the war is through direct negotiations with him.
"If he takes the step and says he is ready for a ceasefire, this will open the way for discussing all elements of ending the war", he stressed.
"I'm not even mentioning that he is afraid of direct talks with me," Zelensky said, adding that he would first meet with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara and then head to Istanbul if Putin arrives there.
Kyiv has invited US President Donald Trump to the meeting on Thursday, but Washington has not yet confirmed his presence. Yesterday, Trump offered to join future talks as he began his Middle East tour.
Zelensky said China had also signaled its support for a 30-day ceasefire that the Ukrainian leader said was needed before peace talks could take place.