Zelensky says ready to talk peace, challenges Putin to show up

Ukrainian president said he would be waiting for his Russian counterpart in Turkey

- James Marson & Jane Lytvynenko

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky challenged Vladimir Putin to meet him in Istanbul this week, after President Trump swung behind the Russian president's offer of talks before a cease-fire.

Zelensky said he would be waiting for Putin in Turkey on Thursday, raising the stakes amid a flurry of diplomatic exchanges and brinkmanship over the weekend where both sides sought to balance not making any significant concessions, with placating Trump, who has demanded an end to the three-year war.

Putin didn't immediately respond to Zelensky's offer, which goes beyond the scope of the Russian leader's suggestion of reviving peace talks among subordinates that petered out in 2022. Putin has repeatedly expressed disdain for Zelensky and questioned his legitimacy.

Trump's support of the Russian president's proposal, a switch in his position, had initially appeared to upend European efforts to bring pressure to bear on Russia to halt its war and hand a diplomatic victory to Putin.

"Ukraine should agree to this, IMMEDIATELY," Trump said on social media Sunday. "At least they will be able to determine whether or not a deal is possible, and if it is not, European leaders, and the U.S., will know where everything stands, and can proceed accordingly!"

But Zelensky, who earlier made a truce a condition of talks, responded quickly to Trump's exhortation, demanding that Russia start a cease-fire on Monday, and saying he would be waiting for Putin "personally" in Turkey on Thursday.

"There is no point in prolonging the killings," Zelensky wrote on social media. Later in his nightly address, the Ukrainian leader reiterated his intention to go to Istanbul for talks. "And I hope that this time, Putin won't be looking for excuses as to why he 'can't' make it," he said.