Zelensky Ready to Meet in Turkey, But Putin ‘Strangely Silent’

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has reiterated his readiness for direct talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, offering to travel to Turkey for negotiations, but said Moscow has not yet respond.

“I’ve just spoken with President Erdoğan of Türkiye. It was a meaningful conversation. I’m grateful to the President for the support. I reaffirmed to him my readiness for direct and substantive negotiations with Putin,” Zelensky said in his evening address.

“Ukraine has always supported diplomacy. I’m ready to come to Türkiye,” he added.

He emphasized that despite numerous proposals for a ceasefire, Russia has not responded, while continuing its assaults on Ukrainian territory.

“Russian shelling and assaults continue. Moscow has remained silent all day regarding the proposal for a direct meeting. A very strange silence.”

Zelensky said that the war must end and welcomed the support of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and US President Donald Trump.

“One way or another, Russia will have to end this war – and the sooner, the better. There is no sense in continuing the killing. President Erdoğan has expressed full readiness to host the meeting. It is important that President Trump fully supports the meeting, and we would like him to find an opportunity to come to Türkiye.”

He stressed that Ukraine is working with partners to ensure security, preparing a solid foundation for peace, and taking joint action “to make diplomacy truly work.”

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“From the very beginning, Ukraine has not wanted this war – not for a single second,” Zelensky said.

As previously reported by Kyiv Post, Trump on Monday teased the possibility of attending Ukraine-Russia peace talks in Turkey on Thursday.

Trump said he “was thinking about actually flying over there” but added he “[doesn’t] know where [he’s] going to be on Thursday.”

“I believe the two leaders will be there. I was thinking about flying over. I don’t know where I’m going to be on Thursday. I’ve got so many meetings. I was thinking about actually flying over there,” he said.

Zelensky confirmed on Sunday that he would attend in person.

One day after Putin hosted foreign guests in Moscow for the May 9 Victory Day parade, EU leaders - including those from the UK, Germany, France, and Poland - met Zelensky in Kyiv, urging Russia to accept a 30-day unconditional ceasefire by Monday or face further sanctions.

On Sunday, Putin proposed holding direct talks with Ukraine in Istanbul on Thursday, May 15, without addressing the ceasefire demand.

This follows Russia’s violation of a self-declared 72-hour ceasefire that coincides with the May 9 celebrations.

Responding on Monday to growing pressure, the Kremlin said: “This language of ultimatums is unacceptable for Russia. It doesn’t work. You can’t talk to Russia like that.”