Ukraine negotiations: Selenskyj expects Putin in Turkey

According to the corresponding claim of the United States and European countries to Moscow, Ukraine is now waiting for a possible ceasefire on all fronts. “Tomorrow (Monday) we are expecting a ceasefire – this proposal is on the table,” said Ukrainian President Wolodymyr Selenskyj in his evening video address. “A complete and unconditional ceasefire – long enough to create the necessary basis for diplomacy – can bring peace much closer.”

Now you are waiting for an answer to Moscow for the demand for a break. “The whole world talks about it, we expect Russia a clear answer.” Selenskyj announced that the Ukrainian armed forces were mutually responding to the behavior of the Russian troops “so that things are fair”.

Selenskyj wants to travel to Turkey on Thursday to meet Putin personally for peace talks. Ukraine has no problem negotiating and was ready for any format. “This Thursday, May 15th, I will be in Turkey and I personally expect Putin in Turkey,” Selenskyj confirmed in the speech. “And I hope Putin will not look for reasons this time, why he can’t do anything,” he added. “We are ready to talk to end the war.” He had previously announced the meeting on platform X.

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.”

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 other sanctions – this could now be discussed in London. 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. Before that, however, he didn’t want to call out ceasefire. Selenskyj saw Putin’s offer for direct negotiations between the two sides as a good sign. Ukraine has been fighting against the Russian invasion for more than three years with the help of western arms deliveries.

A few hours ago, Trump confidently commented on the end of the fights. “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 made it clear that Kyiv 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.

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.

Note: This article has been updated.