Peace talks: Selenskyj: expect Putin on Thursday in Turkey

Ukrainian President Wolodymyr Selenskyj wants to sit down with the Russian head of state Vladimir Putin for peace talks in the coming week. “I will wait for Putin in Turkey on Thursday, personally,” wrote Selenskyj on the X. The Kremlin chief had offered the admission of negotiations in Turkey the night before to advise a possible end for the over three years of war in Ukraine. Selenskyj expressed hope that “the Russians are not looking for excuses”.

Shortly before Selenskyj’s message on X, US President Donald Trump asked the Ukrainian head of state to agree to the resumption of direct peace talks in Turkey proposed by Putin. Only then would Kiev know, the European partners and the USA know what they are and could be accordingly, Trump wrote on his online language tube Truth Social. The Republican at the same time expressed doubts that Putin wanted to conclude a peace agreement. This is too busy “celebrating the victory in World War II”. He alluded to the parade for the day of victory over Nazi Germany on Friday.

In his post, Selenskyj emphasized that Ukraine is expecting a “full and permanent fire break” on Monday to create a necessary basis for diplomacy. “It makes no sense to continue killing.” An answer from the Kremlin to Selenskyj’s willingness to talk was in the evening.

Common initiative of European partners

Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU), British Prime Minister Keir Strandmer, French President Emmanuel Macron and Poland Prime Minister Donald Tusk had ultimately demanded a ceasefire from Russia from this Monday. Otherwise, Russia threatened further sanctions – this could now be discussed this Monday in London at another conference on the Ukraine War. The United States had already proposed a 30-day ceasefire in March. Most recently, Trump had thrown on these ceasefire again and threatened Russia with sanctions.

Kremlin chief Putin initially only replied with a counter offer: from Thursday, direct negotiations could begin without priority between Russia and Ukraine. “Those who really want to peace cannot be against it.” Before that, however, he didn’t want to call out ceasefire. Ukraine has been fighting against the Russian invasion for more than three years with the help of western arms deliveries.

“We expect Moscow that it now agrees with an armistice that can make real conversations possible in the first place,” said Chancellor Friedrich Merz. “First the weapons have to be silent, then conversations can begin.” If the Russian side now signals willingness to talk, it is initially a good sign. “But it is far from sufficient.” France’s President Emmanuel Macron also wrote on X: “There can be no dialogue if civilians are bombarded at the same time.”

In London, Foreign Minister Johann WadePhul will take part in another conference on the war in Ukraine this Monday in London. British Foreign Minister David Lammy welcomes representatives from France, Italy, Spain, Poland and the EU as well as the Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrij Sybiha.

New battles in eastern Ukraine

Meanwhile, new fights broke out in the east of Ukraine on Sunday after Putin’s three -day break of fire had expired. According to the Ukrainian general staff in Kyiv, Russian troops for 67 attacks on various front sections. Russian air strikes were reported from the Pharkiw suburbs.

In the night and in the morning, the capital Kiev and several areas, including Odessa, Kharkiw and Dnipropetrovsk, again reported an air alarm and increased drone attacks for the first time. Both sides had repeatedly accused of violations of the agreement since the beginning of the fire break on Thursday.

The USA under Trump in the Schlinger course

Trump had previously shown confidently that an end to the fights could come. “A big day for Russia and Ukraine,” he wrote on Truth Social. Now his sound has changed. He again showed displeasure about Putin’s behavior. In the past, he already expressed skepticism about whether the Kremlin boss really wanted a peace agreement. Nevertheless, he now made it very clear that Kiev should agree to the negotiations in Turkey. “Consider the conversation – now !!!”, wrote the Republican in capital letters.

The United States had recently threatened to withdraw from the placements about the end of the Russian war of aggression. Trump had actually promised to quickly end the war after taking office in January. In the past week, he several times expressed his frustration that the negotiations have so far not brought a real result. He alternately attacked Selenskyj and Putin for their actions.

Türkiye wants to align talks

Turkey has now agreed to organize the peace talks between Russia and Ukraine. As early as 2022 shortly after the start of the war, Russia and Ukraine in Istanbul ultimately had unsuccessful negotiations on the end of the fighting.