Zelenskyy to hold talks in Türkiye, even if Russia rejects tomorrow's ceasefire - Axios

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced his upcoming visit to Türkiye on May 15 for talks with Russia. However, he will go there even if Russia does not start a ceasefire tomorrow, informs Axios.

"Zelenskyy will be in Türkiye on Thursday even if Russia doesn't agree to start a ceasefire on Monday," Axios writes, citing an unnamed Ukrainian official.

Background

Yesterday, Ukraine, the US, and the Coalition of Willing proposed a full, unconditional ceasefire for 30 days starting May 12.

Last night, Russian President Vladimir Putin dismissed the proposal but instead suggested resuming direct talks with Ukraine on May 15 in Istanbul.

This morning, Zelenskyy said he was ready to engage in talks with Russia, but emphasized that a ceasefire must come first. European leaders, US Special Envoy to Ukraine Keith Kellogg, and even Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, who spoke with Putin today about the negotiations, echoed this position.

A few hours ago, US President Donald Trump called on Ukraine to immediately agree to talks in Istanbul. Later in the evening, Zelenskyy reiterated that he expects Russia to announce a ceasefire on May 15 in Istanbul, where he personally awaits Putin. In his evening address, he reaffirmed his stance.