Zelensky Offers to Meet Putin in Turkey, While Moscow Insists on Russia

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in an interview with Turkish broadcaster CNN Türk, published on Sunday, 1 November, that he is ready to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in person in Turkey. The aim would be to discuss ending the war between Russia and Ukraine. Zelensky said talks at the level of national leaders are needed because earlier diplomatic meetings have not stopped the fighting.

Turkey as mediator

Zelensky believes Turkey can be a practical and realistic mediator, as its president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, has close relations with both sides. According to Zelensky, Erdogan's contacts with Putin and US President Donald Trump could help organise a top-level meeting. Ukrainian and Russian delegations have already met several times in Turkey and the United Arab Emirates, yet the war continues. Zelensky called for moving the war, at least, from its active phase into a diplomatic one.

He argued that some issues cannot be resolved by diplomats and technical experts alone. The main goal of a meeting would be a full, unconditional ceasefire and a reliable mechanism to monitor compliance. At the same time, he said he would not agree to Russian demands to hand over Donbas or to recognise occupied Crimea as Russian territory, as that would contradict Ukraine's constitution.

The Kremlin's position

The Kremlin has previously said Putin has not rejected talks with Zelensky. On Sunday, Putin's foreign policy adviser Yuri Ushakov told Russian media that Putin would most likely answer a phone call from Zelensky. Moscow nevertheless continues to insist that, if Zelensky wants to meet Putin in person, he must come to the Russian capital. Ukraine stresses that an in-person meeting is needed where key issues, including occupied territories and security guarantees, can be discussed.

Preceding steps

Zelensky's statement followed his 31 October visit to Istanbul, where he met Erdogan. The leaders discussed resuming peace talks, security in the Black Sea and the protection of Ukraine's energy infrastructure. Trilateral talks between Ukrainian, US and Russian representatives are also being prepared for the first half of November. A future top-level meeting with the participation of the leaders is also under consideration.