Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said he is ready to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in person to explore options for ending the war – if Putin is willing to show up.
In an exclusive interview published by Libération and several other European media outlets, Zelensky said:
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“We must understand the goal of my meeting with Putin. He and I cannot agree on everything right now – that’s impossible. [...] But we must somehow find a format to end the war.”
His comments come as Istanbul is reportedly preparing to host potential talks between Ukraine and Russia on Thursday, May 15. The Kremlin has suggested it is open to negotiations in Turkey, but has not confirmed whether Putin himself will attend.
For Zelensky, the ambiguity speaks volumes: “If he doesn’t come, it means he’s not seeking a political victory.”
He emphasized that any meeting must yield concrete outcomes, not symbolism: “If I meet him, we must come away with a political victory: a ceasefire, an all-for-all prisoner exchange, or something along those lines.”
But trust remains a central obstacle.
“The Russians won’t trust us, and we won’t trust the Russians,” Zelensky said, arguing that only outside mediators can ensure that any agreement is upheld.
He called for “credible, balanced mediation respected by both sides” and pointed to the US as a potential guarantor of such a monitoring mechanism.
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He also speculated that the presence of US President Donald Trump at the talks might pressure Putin to appear:
“If Putin doesn’t come, it will look like a complete defeat for him.”
Zelensky said that, on the battlefield, Ukraine continues to hold the line, with weapon and drone supplies improving, although bureaucracy still causes delays.
He reiterated his call for a fresh round of strong sanctions against Russia from both the US and the European Union.
While he declined to predict how long the war would continue, he offered a stark warning:
“No one knows how long it will last. But not ten years. Ukraine wouldn’t survive. […] It’s costly for everyone, not only for our friends, but also for our enemies.”
On diplomacy, Zelensky praised his strong ties with French President Emmanuel Macron, commending his creativity and willingness to take risks. He also noted the newly reinforced unity among France, Germany, and the United Kingdom, which have recently been in close coordination with Kyiv.
Trump confirmed Tuesday that Secretary of State Marco Rubio will visit Istanbul for high-stakes talks between Ukraine and Russia, set to begin Thursday.
Reuters previously reported that US envoys Steve Witkoff (Russia) and Keith Kellogg (Ukraine) will attend the negotiations, initiated by Moscow in response to a Western ceasefire ultimatum.
Rubio was already scheduled to meet NATO counterparts in Antalya between May 14–16, with timing now coinciding with the Istanbul talks.
Trump hinted he might personally attend if Putin also shows up. Kellogg echoed this in comments to Fox Business.
While Moscow confirmed preparations are underway, it has not said whether Putin will be present.
In an address after midnight Sunday (around one a.m. Monday), Putin claimed Russia had always been open to a ceasefire but, again, avoided directly responding to the West’s latest call.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said Tuesday that the West could delay new sanctions if Russia shows “real progress” during this week’s negotiations.
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