Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said that he will only attend the upcoming peace talks in Turkey if Russian President Vladimir Putin is also present.
This announcement comes as both leaders consider a potential meeting aimed at resolving the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia.
Zelensky, encouraged by U.S. President Donald Trump to pursue direct negotiations, confirmed his willingness to travel to Turkey, emphasizing that any resolution to the war 'hinges ' on talks with Putin.
The Istanbul discussions are a response to a ceasefire ultimatum from Ukraine's European allies, with a proposed 30-day ceasefire seen as a crucial indicator of Russia's readiness for meaningful dialogue.
While U.S. Secretary of State, Marco Rubio is expected to participate, Trump has expressed a willingness to join if it would facilitate progress.
Meanwhile, the Kremlin has not yet committed to Putin's attendance, with spokesperson, Dmitry Peskov said that a decision will be made public in due time.
Russian Deputy, Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov has confirmed that preparations for the talks are in motion, as international pressure mounts on Russia to accept the ceasefire, with French President Emmanuel Macron warning of potential sanctions if compliance is not met.
Skepticism persists regarding the upcoming summit, as the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) indicates that Russian officials may be preparing for Putin to skip the meeting, with key aides labeling the potential discussions as mere “pure spectacle.”
Two European diplomatic sources informed CNN that they anticipate minimal outcomes from the summit and express doubts about Putin's attendance.
In an effort to influence the situation, Zelensky has extended an invitation to Trump, believing that the U.S. president's presence could compel Putin to participate.
Regardless of Trump's decision, senior U.S. officials, including envoy to Ukraine Keith Kellogg and foreign affairs adviser Steve Witkoff, are expected to attend the Istanbul summit to monitor the negotiations between Ukrainian and Russian representatives.
Meanwhile, the conflict in eastern Ukraine remains largely unchanged, with Russian forces conducting frequent drone and missile attacks but failing to achieve significant territorial gains.
The ISW has observed the deployment of a ceremonial unit from the Federal Security Service (FSB) to the front lines, likely intended as a psychological maneuver to imply forthcoming advances. On May 13, Zelensky reiterated that if Russia does not accept the ceasefire proposal by Thursday, he anticipates “strong” new sanctions from both the U.S. and Europe. Direct talks between the Russian and Ukrainian presidents have not taken place since the early days of Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022, making Thursday's summit potentially 'pivotal ' in the ongoing quest to resolve the conflict.