Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy touched down in Ankara on Thursday, sparking fresh hopes for peace in the ongoing conflict. In a key meeting with Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan, both leaders are looking to restart crucial negotiations, mirroring recent calls from Russian President Vladimir Putin to revive stalled peace talks in Istanbul.
Zelenskyy has made it clear that he is ready to enter direct peace talks with Russia—but only if Putin himself participates. "I am waiting to see who will come from Russia, and then I will decide which steps Ukraine should take," he stated, highlighting his cautious optimism amid unconvincing media signals from the Russian side.
The Kremlin, however, confirmed that Putin will not be part of the delegation. Instead, Russia will be represented by presidential aide Vladimir Medinsky, adding another twist to the complex negotiations. During a NATO informal meeting in Antalya, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan expressed, "The talks to be held in Istanbul will hopefully lead us to open a new page." 🌟
Although the previous discussions in Istanbul back in March 2022 ended without a ceasefire agreement, this renewed diplomatic push in Ankara might just be the spark needed for real progress. Stay tuned for more updates on this evolving story!
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
