Zelensky Heads to Ankara for Talks with Erdogan, Awaits Putin's Decision

Published:

Zelensky Heads to Ankara for Talks with Erdogan, Awaits Putin's Decision
Photo: Tetiana Dzhafarova/Pool Photo via AP/TT

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyj announces that he will meet Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara. He then hopes to meet Russia's leader Vladimir Putin.

If Putin doesn't come and just plays games, it's the final sign that he doesn't want to end the war, he says to journalists in Kyiv.

The meeting with Erdogan will be on Wednesday or Thursday.

Doubts about Putin

Zelenskyj says that everything will be done for a meeting with Putin to take place, but he emphasizes that he doubts that the Russian will actually travel to Turkey.

I don't believe that Putin wants the war to end, that he doesn't want a ceasefire, doesn't want any negotiations, he says to journalists in Kyiv.

The previous plans for direct talks between Ukraine and Russia involve a meeting in Istanbul on Thursday - something that was first proposed by Putin over the weekend. If Putin chooses to go to Istanbul, Zelenskyj promises that both he and Erdogan will go there from the Turkish capital.

If US President Donald Trump shows up, which he has said he is interested in, it means a carrot for Putin, according to Zelenskyj.

We have invited President Trump to join us. I don't know how the US President will do, but if he confirms his participation, I believe it would give Putin additional drive to come.

"Clear signal"

Zelenskyj urges the US to hit Russia with tough sanctions if Putin ultimately rejects the Turkey meeting. He adds that a no from Putin would give "a clear signal that they don't want and don't intend to end the war".

Kaja Kallas, responsible for foreign affairs in the EU, also doubts that Putin will agree to meet Zelenskyj.

I think it would be good if they sat down. But I don't think Putin dares, she says in connection with a democracy conference in Copenhagen.

Kallas notes that it is over two months since Ukraine said yes to an unconditional ceasefire.

It is obvious that Russia is playing games, trying to win time, hoping that time is on their side. We have not seen any benevolent gestures from their side.

Trump says during his ongoing visit to Riyadh in Saudi Arabia that Foreign Minister Marco Rubio will represent the US in Turkey.

It could give quite a good result, says Trump in a speech.

The Kremlin has not given any information about Putin's possible presence in Turkey through spokesperson Dmitrij Peskov.

Tags

Author

TTT
By TTEnglish edition by Sweden Herald, adapted for local and international readers

More news

Hamas Seeks More Time to Consider Israel's Peace Proposal for Gaza

Hamas Seeks More Time to Consider Israel's Peace Proposal for Gaza

Anglican Church Appoints First Female Archbishop of Canterbury

Anglican Church Appoints First Female Archbishop of Canterbury

Luxembourg Welcomes New Grand Duke Guillaume

Luxembourg Welcomes New Grand Duke Guillaume

Israel Boards Last Boat in Gaza Convoy Global Sumud Flotilla

Israel Boards Last Boat in Gaza Convoy Global Sumud Flotilla

Danish F-35 Jets on Standby at Skrydstrup Airbase for NATO Support

Danish F-35 Jets on Standby at Skrydstrup Airbase for NATO Support

Police May Have Accidentally Shot Synagogue Attack Suspect in Manchester

Police May Have Accidentally Shot Synagogue Attack Suspect in Manchester

Suspected Russian Shadow Vessel Boracay Continues Journey After Arrest

Suspected Russian Shadow Vessel Boracay Continues Journey After Arrest

Denmark Faces Hybrid Warfare Threat from Russia, Says Intelligence Chief

Denmark Faces Hybrid Warfare Threat from Russia, Says Intelligence Chief

Helsinki Court Acquits Eagle S Crew in Gulf of Finland Cable Case

Helsinki Court Acquits Eagle S Crew in Gulf of Finland Cable Case

Over 50 Dead as Typhoon Bualoi Hits Vietnam

Over 50 Dead as Typhoon Bualoi Hits Vietnam

Missing Norwegian Soldiers Located Safe After Navigation Error

Missing Norwegian Soldiers Located Safe After Navigation Error

Moroccan Protests Persist Despite Fatalities and Rising Tensions

Moroccan Protests Persist Despite Fatalities and Rising Tensions

Trump's Military Speech Sparks Concerns Over US Trustworthiness

Trump's Military Speech Sparks Concerns Over US Trustworthiness

Orbán Ally Andrej Babis May Return to Power in Czech Republic

Orbán Ally Andrej Babis May Return to Power in Czech Republic

Over 200 Protesters Arrested at The Hague Train Station

Over 200 Protesters Arrested at The Hague Train Station

Ukraine Ends Diplomatic Relations with Nicaragua

Ukraine Ends Diplomatic Relations with Nicaragua

Munich Airport Closes Due to Drone Sighting, Flights Disrupted

Munich Airport Closes Due to Drone Sighting, Flights Disrupted

Infant Dies in Canadian Measles Outbreak Amid Rising Cases

Infant Dies in Canadian Measles Outbreak Amid Rising Cases

Researchers May Have Found Amelia Earhart's Missing Plane

Researchers May Have Found Amelia Earhart's Missing Plane

Starmer Vows to Tackle Antisemitism After Manchester Synagogue Attack

Starmer Vows to Tackle Antisemitism After Manchester Synagogue Attack