Zelenskyy says Ukraine open to ‘any format’ of peace talks with Russia ahead of Turkey meeting

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Wednesday said that his country is prepared for “any format” of peace talks with Russia, ahead of a planned meeting in Türkey on Thursday. Zelenskyy said that Kyiv’s next steps would depend on who Moscow sends to the table.“Ukraine is ready for any format of negotiations, and we are not afraid of meetings. Tomorrow – in Turkey,” Zelenskyy said in his daily video address on Wednesday. “I am waiting to see who will arrive from Russia. Then I will decide what steps Ukraine should take.”The Kremlin has not yet named its delegation for the Istanbul talks.The announcement comes amid renewed diplomatic efforts to end the war, which has dragged on for nearly three years. Last week, Zelenskyy said he was willing to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin directly in Türkey to try to secure a lasting ceasefire. “I will be waiting for Putin,” he said.The Ukrainian leader added that his government remained committed to dialogue as long as there was a genuine halt in fighting. The push for peace follows a weekend of fast-paced diplomacy, including a proposal by Putin to resume direct negotiations on 15 May in Istanbul “without preconditions”.Despite the offer, Russia continued shelling areas in Ukraine’s Sumy and Kherson regions, killing several civilians and casting doubt on the sincerity of Moscow’s intentions.Still, world leaders have reacted cautiously to the development. French President Emmanuel Macron described Putin’s move as “a first step, but not enough,” warning it could simply be an attempt to buy time. The leaders of France, Germany, Poland, and the UK have jointly called for an immediate ceasefire and have threatened further sanctions if Russia fails to comply.Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump welcomed the latest push towards peace. Posting on Truth Social, he wrote: “Think of the hundreds of thousands of lives that will be saved as this never-ending ‘bloodbath’ hopefully comes to an end. It will be a whole new, and much better, world.” Trump said he would continue working with both sides and added, “The USA wants to focus, instead, on Rebuilding and Trade. A big week upcoming!”Trump’s special envoy to Ukraine, retired lieutenant general Keith Kellogg, described the proposed ceasefire as “comprehensive,” saying it would cover land, air, sea, and infrastructure. He said it could signal the beginning of the end of “the largest and longest war in Europe since World War II.”Putin said he was ready for “serious negotiations” and was working with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan to support the talks. But he warned that any truce must lead to “lasting peace” rather than giving Ukraine time to rebuild its military.That stance drew a sharp response from Kyiv. Zelenskyy’s office said in a statement: “An unconditional ceasefire by definition cannot be subject to any conditions. If Russia calls for such conditions, this can only be considered as an effort to prolong the war and undermine diplomacy.”