Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Tuesday he would only attend upcoming peace talks with Russia if President Vladimir Putin also participates, claiming the Russian leader is “scared” to meet face-to-face.
The Kremlin has yet to confirm whether Putin will join the scheduled talks in Istanbul on Thursday, marking more than three years of the war in Ukraine, the deadliest conflict in Europe since World War II.
The peace talks, led by U.S. President Donald Trump, have become the focus of diplomatic efforts to end the war, with Trump sending senior envoys Steve Witkoff and Keith Kellogg. Trump himself has also offered to attend.
Zelenskyy emphasized the need for an unconditional 30-day ceasefire as the first step toward peace, asserting that Putin must take part in the discussions as “everything in Russia” depends on him. “If he takes the step to say he is ready for a ceasefire, then it opens the way to discussing all the elements to end the war,” Zelenskyy said.
Although both Moscow and Kyiv have expressed interest in peace talks, no clear path forward has emerged. On Sunday, Putin proposed direct talks with Ukraine, but ignored a Ukrainian call for an unconditional ceasefire. Trump has publicly urged Zelenskyy to accept Putin’s proposal.
Zelenskyy then announced he would wait for Putin in Istanbul on Thursday, despite the Kremlin not confirming whether the Russian president would attend. A senior U.S. official said it remains unclear if any Russian officials will show up.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated that Russia would announce its representatives when Putin deems it appropriate.
Last year, sources reported that Putin was open to discussing a ceasefire with Trump, but Moscow insisted on no territorial concessions and required Kyiv to abandon NATO membership ambitions. Ukraine has reiterated its stance that any negotiations should follow a ceasefire, a position supported by its European allies.
Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov of Russia expressed doubt on Tuesday about Ukraine’s readiness for negotiations, while underscoring Moscow’s demand to recognize its annexation of Ukrainian territories.
U.S. officials are pushing for a comprehensive 30-day ceasefire covering land, air, sea, and critical infrastructure, with European nations threatening to impose further sanctions on Russia if it refuses.
