Ukraine peace talks set for Istanbul if ceasefire agreed
Ukraine peace talks in Istanbul could be on the cards this week, as President Volodymyr Zelensky says he is willing to meet Vladimir Putin face to face if Russia agrees to a full ceasefire. Zelensky’s offer was posted online shortly after Donald Trump urged Ukraine to accept Putin’s invitation for direct talks in Türkiye, describing it as a necessary test of whether peace is still possible.
“We await a full and lasting ceasefire, starting from tomorrow, to provide the necessary basis for diplomacy,”
Zelensky wrote, adding that he would be there “personally” if Russia follows through.
Talk of new negotiations emerged as Western leaders, including Sir Keir Starmer, Emmanuel Macron, and other European figures, visited Kyiv to rally support for a 30-day halt in fighting. The so-called coalition of the willing has pushed for the ceasefire to begin on Monday, saying it would create essential breathing space for diplomacy to begin in earnest.
Putin responded by saying he couldn’t rule out further talks and hinted at the possibility of agreeing to a new truce. However, he stopped short of confirming support for the 30-day pause requested by the West. He reiterated Moscow’s usual position that any ceasefire would need to follow a halt in military aid to Ukraine from the US and Europe.
Trump, now an influential voice in the background of these developments, weighed in by calling on Ukraine to accept the meeting offer “immediately,” arguing it would provide clarity on whether peace negotiations could go anywhere. “Have the meeting, now!” he posted.
Meanwhile, during a press conference in Kyiv, Sir Keir said the UK stood firmly behind the ceasefire plan, warning of new sanctions targeting Russia’s energy and financial sectors if Moscow fails to comply. For Zelensky, who has hosted a steady stream of international leaders in recent weeks, the moment seems designed to apply public pressure on Putin while giving Ukraine a chance to define the terms of engagement.
It’s worth remembering that the last time Ukraine and Russia sat down for direct negotiations was in March 2022, also in Istanbul. That early round of talks quickly collapsed. Three years on, the context is different, but the political risks and strategic calculations remain complex. Red lines haven’t shifted much on either side, but the renewed emphasis on diplomacy reflects a growing fatigue with the conflict’s toll.
For now, all eyes are on Thursdayvand whether Moscow is prepared to meet Kyiv’s condition of a full ceasefire in exchange for Zelensky’s attendance. What happens next may shape not just Ukraine’s future, but Europe’s diplomatic posture for years to come.
For more background on European diplomatic support, visit the EU’s official Ukraine page.
For more updates on Ukraine talks and global political developments, visit EyeOnLondon. We’d love to hear your views in the comments.
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