**Ukraine’s President Zelensky Arrives in Turkey for Potential Peace Talks with Russia**
In a bid to bring an end to the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has arrived in Turkey ahead of potential ceasefire negotiations with Russian officials. Despite Russian President Vladimir Putin’s decision to skip the talks, the Ukrainian delegation is said to be of the “highest level,” including Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, representatives from the military and the Presidential Office, and heads of all intelligence agencies.
Zelensky’s plane landed at Ankara airport on May 15, where he will first meet with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Speaking to journalists at the airport, Zelensky emphasized the importance of understanding Russia’s mandate and decision-making capabilities in these negotiations. “We need to understand what the level of the Russian delegation is, what their mandate is, and whether they are capable of making decisions on their own,” he said.
The Ukrainian president also expressed skepticism about Putin’s ability to make decisions, stating that it seemed like he was afraid to meet with him directly. Zelensky had previously stated that if Putin failed to attend the talks, he would not engage in negotiations with lower-level Russian officials, as there would be no point in such discussions.
**US and European Officials Urge Ukraine Not to Abandon Istanbul Talks**
In a surprising turn of events, US President Donald Trump initially expressed optimism about the prospects of a Zelensky-Putin meeting, even suggesting he might attend as well on May 16 if progress was made. However, it remains unclear whether Zelensky will still join the Istanbul talks without Putin’s participation.
US and European officials have reportedly urged Zelensky not to abandon the Istanbul talks regardless of Putin’s participation. This has led to speculation about a potential breakthrough in stalled diplomatic efforts to end Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The two presidents met only once during the 2019 Normandy Four meeting in France, with no direct in-person meetings between them since then.
**Key Issues on the Table**
Zelensky has stated that any potential talks with Putin would center around an unconditional ceasefire and an all-for-all prisoner exchange. This proposal is also supported by Ukraine’s allies, who have proposed an unconditional 30-day ceasefire beginning on May 12 as a first step toward peace – a proposal that Russia has so far ignored.
**Representatives from Ukraine, US, and Russia Also Arriving in Turkey**
While no additional meetings have been officially announced, representatives from Ukraine, the US, and Russia are also arriving in Turkey. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrived in Turkey on May 14 and met with Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha in Antalya. Other officials, including Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff, are expected to join them in Istanbul.
**What’s Next?**
Ukraine’s president will decide on his next steps regarding peace talks with Russia after meeting with Erdogan. It remains unclear whether Zelensky will still participate in the Istanbul talks without Putin’s participation. The Kremlin has revealed its list of delegates, but it is unclear what impact this may have on the negotiations.
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