Zelensky to travel to Turkey for potential talks with Putin

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Sunday he will travel to Turkey later this week to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss a "necessary basis for diplomacy" to end the war.

Why it matters: If the meeting takes place, it will be the first time the two leaders have met since the Russia-Ukraine war began more than three years ago.

Driving the news: Zelensky reiterated his expectation for the ceasefire in his post on X, where he announced his visit to Turkey.

"I will be waiting for Putin in Türkiye on Thursday. Personally. I hope that this time the Russians will not look for excuses," he wrote.

Last week, President Trump called for a "30-day unconditional ceasefire" between Russia and Ukraine and threatened sanctions if it is "not respected."

On Saturday, Zelensky and the leaders of several NATO countries spoke with Trump over the phone and stressed they are ready for an unconditional 30-day ceasefire starting Monday.
During the 15-minute call, Zelensky and the NATO leaders told Trump that if a ceasefire is agreed upon, Ukraine is ready to begin direct peace talks with Russia.
Putin responded to the terms later that evening. And though he didn't accept the ceasefire proposal, he said he is ready to begin direct talks with Ukraine on Thursday.
What they're saying: Hours before Zelensky's agreement to meet Putin in Instanbul, Trump called on Ukraine's president to accept the terms in a post to Truth Social.
Trump stressed that if Ukraine participates in these talks it will be able to determine whether or not a deal is possible.
If it is not, Europe and the U.S., will know where things stand and respond accordingly, he added.
"I'm starting to doubt that Ukraine will make a deal with Putin, who's too busy celebrating the Victory of World War ll, which could not have been won (not even close!) without the United States of America. HAVE THE MEETING, NOW!!!," Trump wrote.