Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced his agreement to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin face-to-face in Istanbul, Turkey, on Thursday, marking a significant development in efforts to address the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict.

This decision follows Putin’s proposal for direct talks, supported by U.S. President Donald Trump, amid a temporary ceasefire tied to the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II in Europe.

The meeting aims to lay the groundwork for a lasting peace, though challenges remain due to differing preconditions and a history of broken agreements.

The Russia-Ukraine war, intensified by Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022, has caused immense loss of life, displaced millions, and destabilized global security.

Previous peace talks, notably in Istanbul in 2022, collapsed, with Russia blaming Ukraine for withdrawing and Ukraine citing unacceptable Russian demands akin to surrender.

Since then, intermittent ceasefires have been marred by violations, with Zelenskyy noting Russia’s history of breaking agreements since 2014.

Recent diplomatic efforts, including European leaders’ demands for a 30-day unconditional ceasefire and Trump’s push for negotiations, have set the stage for this high-stakes meeting.

Zelenskyy’s acceptance of Putin’s offer came with a clear condition: a “full and lasting ceasefire” starting May 12, 2025, to provide a foundation for diplomacy.

In a statement, he emphasized, “There is no point in prolonging the killings,” and expressed hope that Russia would not “look for excuses” to avoid the talks. Zelenskyy proposed a personal meeting, stating, “I will be waiting for Putin in Türkiye on Thursday.

Personally.” His chief of staff, Andriy Yermak, reinforced this stance, succinctly stating, “First a 30-day ceasefire, then everything else.” This reflects Ukraine’s insistence on security guarantees and a cessation of hostilities before substantive negotiations.

Putin’s Proposal and Context

Putin proposed the Thursday meeting in Istanbul during a Kremlin address on May 11, 2025, calling for talks “without preconditions” to achieve a “long-term, lasting peace.”

He referenced the 2022 Istanbul talks as a potential basis, though those terms were heavily criticized as favoring Russia.

The proposal followed a three-day ceasefire declared by Putin for the WWII anniversary, which ended with Russia launching over 100 drones on Ukraine, underscoring the fragility of such pauses.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who spoke with Putin, expressed full support for hosting the talks, adding symbolic weight to Istanbul as the venue.

U.S. President Donald Trump played a pivotal role in prompting Zelenskyy to accept the meeting, urging Ukraine to agree “IMMEDIATELY” to determine if a deal is possible.

In a Truth Social post, Trump described Putin’s offer as a chance to end the “BLOODBATH,” warning that failure to negotiate could clarify positions for the U.S. and European leaders.

Trump’s envoy, Keith Kellogg, initially supported a 30-day ceasefire before talks, aligning with European demands, but Trump’s direct intervention favored immediate negotiations.

This move reflects Trump’s broader strategy to broker peace, though his earlier pause on U.S. aid to Ukraine after a contentious February 2025 meeting with Zelenskyy highlights the complex dynamics at play.