**Ukraine’s President Zelensky to Meet Putin in Turkey**
In a significant development, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has announced that he will travel to Turkey’s capital Ankara to meet with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. This meeting is expected to take place on Thursday and could be followed by direct talks between Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Istanbul.
**Pressure on Russia**
Zelensky’s decision to confirm his visit to Turkey at a hastily-convened news conference clearly aimed to intensify pressure on Russia to respond. The Kremlin has already warned that exerting pressure on Moscow is “useless” and that it does not respond to ultimatums. However, Zelensky remains determined to secure a 30-day ceasefire, which he believes is crucial for ending the war.
**A Long-Term Settlement**
Russia, on the other hand, has sought to focus on a long-term settlement that tackles the “root causes” of the war and deals with “realities on the ground”. This approach has been at odds with Ukraine’s demand for a ceasefire. The Ukrainian leader believes that Putin’s offer of direct talks was designed to catch Kyiv off guard, but he remains undeterred.
**International Interest**
The United States is also expected to send a high-level delegation to Istanbul, although US President Donald Trump’s hint that he might attend the meeting seems unlikely at this stage. The EU foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, has expressed support for the talks, saying it would be a good move for the two leaders to sit down and talk.
**A Tense Situation**
The situation remains tense, with both sides refusing to back down. Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov has cast doubt on Ukraine’s ability to stick to agreements, while Zelensky’s chief of staff, Andriy Yermak, has warned that if Putin refuses to meet in Istanbul, it would be the “final signal” that he does not want to end the war.
**The Road Ahead**
As the world waits with bated breath for Thursday’s meeting, one thing is clear: a 30-day ceasefire is crucial for ending the war. The leaders of Ukraine’s main allies – the UK, Germany, Poland, and France – have already warned Russia of further sanctions if it does not accept this demand. With international pressure mounting, the road ahead looks uncertain.
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