Ukraine’s Zelenskyy headed to Turkiye in bid to resuscitate peace talks

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said he hopes to revive talks over ending the war caused by Russia’s full-scale invasion two years ago during a trip to Turkiye on Wednesday.

On a short tour of European allies to discuss support early this week, Zelenskyy wrote on social media on Tuesday that Ukraine is “preparing to reinvigorate negotiations” and has developed solutions that he will “propose to partners”.

While Zelenskyy did not disclose details of his trip, news agencies reported that he would meet United States special envoy Steve Witkoff, as well as President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, in Ankara.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters that no Russian representatives will take part in talks on November 19, but that President Vladimir Putin was open to conversations with the US and Turkiye on the results of the talks.

“For now, these contacts are taking place without Russian participation. We will await information on what would actually be discussed in Istanbul,” he said during his daily conference call with reporters.