Ukraine may lift Putin talks ban, Presidential Office outlines condition

Responding to a question about whether Kyiv would lift the ban on negotiations with Putin if he did travel to Istanbul, Mykhailo Podolyak said: "I think changes will be made to the National Security and Defense Council's decision if we move toward signing a document."

"You're right, we (Ukraine – ed.) do not consider Putin a legitimate president, but in reality, he solely controls Russia. So legally, it would be enough to amend the NSDC decision, and the necessary legal and regulatory provisions would be adopted," Podolyak explained.

Ban on negotiations with Putin

In October 2022, President Zelenskyy enacted a National Security and Defense Council (NSDC) decision by decree, declaring that negotiations with Russian President Vladimir Putin were impossible.

As recently as January 2025, Deputy Head of the Presidential Office Andrii Sybiha emphasized that Ukraine had not reversed its decision to ban direct talks with the dictator.

Possible talks in Istanbul

In the early hours of May 11, Putin rejected a ceasefire proposal but initiated a call to resume direct negotiations with Ukraine on May 15 in Istanbul.

Later that morning, President Zelenskyy agreed to a dialogue with Russia, stressing that the key condition must be confirmation of adherence to the ceasefire regime set to begin on May 12. This ceasefire initiative had previously received support from Ukraine, the United States, and the so-called Coalition of the Willing.

Subsequently, Turkey officially announced its readiness to serve as a mediator in the negotiations between Ukraine and Russia.

Keith Kellogg, special envoy of Donald Trump to Ukraine, also emphasized that talks could only begin if a ceasefire is firmly in place.