Zelenskyy agrees to Istanbul talks with Putin to avoid offending Trump - The Guardian
Photo: President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy (Getty Images)
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was reportedly compelled to agree to negotiations with Russian leader Vladimir Putin in Istanbul on May 15 to avoid offending US President Donald Trump, The Guardian reports.
According to the outlet, European diplomats said Trump’s social media post, in which he insisted that Ukraine must immediately begin peace talks with Russia, disrupted and possibly even jeopardized carefully developed European plans to convince the United States to impose sanctions on Russia for rejecting the US President's proposal for a 30-day ceasefire.
Diplomats claim Zelenskyy was forced to accept Putin’s invitation to talks in Istanbul out of concern that a refusal would offend Trump.
Sources told The Guardian that Putin made the proposal in order not to alienate the US President and to avoid growing European pressure on Trump to impose tougher sanctions.
Western diplomats added they have no reason to believe Trump acted in coordination with Putin.
Talks in Türkiye
Ukraine earlier declared its readiness for a ceasefire of at least 30 days starting May 12.
However, Russian leader Vladimir Putin rejected the proposed ceasefire. Instead, he suggested resuming negotiations in Istanbul on May 15 - talks that originally began in 2022, continuing from where they left off.
Türkiye later officially announced its willingness to act as a mediator between Ukraine and Russia.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed Ukraine’s readiness for dialogue but stressed that a confirmed ceasefire, which is to begin on May 12, is a precondition.
Additionally, US President Donald Trump said he may travel to Istanbul to take part in the potential meeting between Ukraine and Russia. He also expressed confidence that Russia would agree to a 30-day ceasefire.
