Russia leader told to meet in Turkey

Trump tells Ukraine not to await ceasefire

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he was ready to meet Vladimir Putin in Turkey on Thursday after US President Donald Trump told him publicly to immediately accept the Kremlin leader's proposal of direct talks.

Mr Zelensky’s suggestion of a meeting with Mr Putin capped a dramatic 48 hours in which European leaders joined Mr Zelensky in demanding a 30-day ceasefire from yesterday, only for Mr Putin to make a counter-proposal to instead hold the first direct Ukraine-Russia talks since the early months of the 2022 invasion.

It was far from clear, however, that Mr Putin meant he would attend in person. Mr Putin and Mr Zelensky have not met since December 2019 and make no secret of their contempt for each other.

“Twill be waiting for Putin in Turkiye on Thursday. Personally) Mr Zelensky wrote on X. “I hope that this time the Russians will not look for excuses.”

On Telegram, his chief of staff, Andriy Yermak, added: “What about Putin? Is he afraid? We'll see”

The Ukainian leader had responded guardedly earlier on Sunday after the Russian president, in a night-time televised statement that coincided with prime time in the US, proposed direct talks in Istanbul this Thursday, May 15.