Zelensky challenges Putin to face-to-face talks in Turkey after Donald Trump rant

Volodymyr Zelensky has invited Vladimir Putin to meet him face-to-face in Turkey on Thursday, offering to begin a ceasefire on Monday in what appears to be a marked shift in policy following an intervention by Donald Trump. Mr Zelensky made the dramatic offer in a post on X early Sunday morning, saying: “I will be waiting for Putin in Turkey on Thursday. Personally. We await a full and lasting ceasefire, starting from tomorrow, to provide the necessary basis for diplomacy. There is no point in prolonging the killings.”

His message followed a post on Truth Social by Mr Trump, published late Saturday night, in which the former US President said: “President Putin of Russia doesn’t want to have a Cease Fire Agreement with Ukraine, but rather wants to meet on Thursday, in Turkey, to negotiate a possible end to the BLOODBATH. Ukraine should agree to this, IMMEDIATELY.

“At least they will be able to determine whether or not a deal is possible, and if it is not, European leaders, and the US, will know where everything stands, and can proceed accordingly!

“I’m starting to doubt that Ukraine will make a deal with Putin, who’s too busy celebrating the Victory of World War ll, which could not have been won (not even close!) without the United States of America. HAVE THE MEETING, NOW!!!”

In an earlier post, Mr Trump had written: “Think of the hundreds of thousands of lives that will be saved as this never-ending ‘bloodbath’ hopefully comes to an end.

'I will continue to work with both sides to make sure that it happens. The USA wants to focus, instead, on Rebuilding and Trade. A BIG week upcoming!”

Ukrainian President Mr Zelensky’s willingness to talk directly to Mr Putin – whom he has previously dismissed as a war criminal – signals a dramatic change of tone from Kyiv. In 2022, after Russia staged referenda in four occupied regions and claimed to have annexed them, Mr Zelensky signed a decree formally ruling out talks with Mr Putin altogether.

Back then, he said: “We are ready for a dialogue with Russia, but with another president of Russia.”

Since then, he has repeatedly ruled out talks while Russian troops remain on Ukrainian territory, demanding a full withdrawal and international guarantees before any negotiation could begin.

However, Sunday’s post indicates a new urgency. Mr Zelensky added: “We have support from our partners and we believe this is the moment to test Russia’s seriousness. If they are genuine, peace can come quickly. If not, the world will see it clearly.”

In Moscow, Mr Putin’s press secretary Dmitry Peskov said the Kremlin welcomed the proposal, and confirmed talks were already being planned.

Speaking on Russian television, Putin said: “We are prepared to negotiate in Istanbul on Thursday without preconditions. A ceasefire might be agreed on during the negotiations. But we need a truce that will lead to a lasting peace – not one that allows Ukraine to rearm and mobilise more men.”

Russia has rejected a joint proposal by Ukraine and its European allies for a 30-day ceasefire beginning this week, instead pushing for a shorter, undefined truce that could coincide with talks in Istanbul. Mr Peskov said President Erdogan had agreed to host and was in contact with both sides.

Speaking on Sunday after a call with French President Emmanuel Macron, Mr Erdogan said: “We are at a historic turning point. Turkey will do everything possible to support a breakthrough. The path to peace runs through diplomacy.”

Mr Macron, who visited Kyiv alongside UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk on Saturday, struck a more cautious note.

He said: “Putin’s proposal for talks is a first step, but not enough. An unconditional ceasefire is not preceded by negotiations. Putin is looking for a way out, but he still wants to buy time.”

Fighting on the ground continued despite the diplomatic signals. Ukraine’s air force said Russia launched 108 drones at targets overnight; 60 were intercepted. Others hit infrastructure in Dnipro and Odesa. Russia, meanwhile, claimed Ukraine fired a missile at a hotel in Rylsk, near the border, injuring three. Kyiv did not comment.

In his nightly address, Mr Zelensky said: “We are still waiting for a clear answer from the Russian side. We have repeatedly heard from partners that they are ready to strengthen sanctions against Russia if Putin refuses a ceasefire. We will see."

There was little immediate sign that Putin was ready for peace, with Russia launching a swarm of drone attacks on Odesa on Sunday night.