“The Russian delegation does not include anyone who actually makes decisions,” Zelenskyy said at a news conference in Ankara. “To show President Trump that Ukraine is seeking an end to the conflict, I’ve decided to send officials to Istanbul… to attempt at least the first steps toward de-escalation — namely, a ceasefire.”
IRISH EXAMINER
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced he is sending a delegation, led by Defence Minister Rustem Umerov, to Istanbul for direct peace talks with Russia — the first since March 2022. The move follows President Vladimir Putin’s refusal to attend face-to-face talks proposed by Zelenskyy.
“The Russian delegation does not include anyone who actually makes decisions,” Zelenskyy said at a news conference in Ankara, criticising Moscow’s commitment to ending the war. He said the gesture was partly to show U.S. President Donald Trump Ukraine’s willingness for peace.
Trump, speaking from Doha, remarked, “I didn’t think it was possible for Putin to go if I’m not there… until (Putin) and I get together.” Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirmed Putin won’t be in Istanbul.
Turkey’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said, “There is finally a window of opportunity.” However, British PM Keir Starmer stated, “There’s only one country standing in the way of peace — that is Russia, that is Putin.”
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