Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived in Ankara on Thursday for a high-stakes meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, as fresh diplomatic momentum builds to end the conflict in Ukraine.
The visit follows Russian President Vladimir Putin's recent call to revive stalled peace negotiations in Istanbul. Zelenskyy has signaled willingness to return to the negotiating table\u000e—on one condition: that Putin himself joins the discussions. "I am waiting to see who will come from Russia, and then I will decide which steps Ukraine should take. So far, the signals from them in the media are unconvincing," Zelenskyy said late Wednesday.
But the Kremlin has indicated that Putin will sit out the Istanbul talks, sending presidential aide Vladimir Medinsky as Russia's representative instead. That move leaves Zelenskyy facing a critical test: accept a lower-level delegation or risk another round of empty promises.
Speaking at a NATO informal meeting in Antalya, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan stressed TĂĽrkiye's commitment to brokering progress. "The talks to be held in Istanbul will hopefully lead us to open a new page," Fidan said, underscoring Ankara's role as a key diplomatic bridge.
The last direct talks between Ukraine and Russia took place in Istanbul in March 2022, ending without an agreement to halt the fighting. As Ankara sets the stage for potential breakthroughs, global observers\u0000—including young digital citizens, entrepreneurs tracking regional stability, and changemakers pushing for peace—are watching closely. All eyes now turn to Istanbul: can these talks finally shift the conflict's trajectory?
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
