Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has agreed to attend peace talks in Istanbul this week. However, he insists on meeting directly with Russian President Vladimir Putin. A senior Ukrainian official confirmed this on Monday.
Mykhailo Podolyak, an advisor to the Ukrainian Presidential Office, stated that Zelenskyy will not meet with any other Russian official. “The president cannot meet with anyone else,” Podolyak told a Ukrainian reporter.
Podolyak explained that Russia’s political structure leaves only Putin with the authority to decide on war or peace. “Even (Foreign Minister Sergey) Lavrov or (Prime Minister Mikhail) Mishustin are unlikely to be authorized to make such decisions,” he said. “Only Putin can make the decision to continue or end the war.”
He warned that lower-level discussions would only delay progress. “This is again stalling for time. What’s the point of holding a meeting at a lower level?” he asked.
Background and Context
The Russia-Ukraine war has lasted over three years, causing immense destruction and loss of life. Previous attempts at negotiations failed due to disagreements over ceasefire conditions and territorial disputes.
The latest proposal for direct talks in Istanbul was made by Putin during a press conference in Moscow on Sunday. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan later confirmed Türkiye’s willingness to host the discussions during a phone call with Putin.
Zelenskyy responded to Putin’s invitation by confirming his attendance. “I will personally be waiting for Putin in Türkiye on Thursday,” he said. However, he reiterated Ukraine’s demand for a ceasefire starting Monday. “This will provide the necessary basis for diplomacy.”
International leaders have closely monitored the situation. The United States and European allies have urged both sides to negotiate a peaceful resolution. Meanwhile, Türkiye has positioned itself as a key mediator in the conflict.
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