Zelenskyy sets expectations for a potential meeting with Putin: Top priority revealed
Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine (Vitalii Nosach, RBC-Ukraine)
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is awaiting results from a potential meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The main issue at hand is a ceasefire, the Ukrainian leader made this statement during a press conference.
"In any case, I'm focused on the outcome. The number one result is an unconditional ceasefire. An unconditional ceasefire today, based on the experience of these past days and months, cannot be guaranteed by anyone on the Russian side except Putin himself," Zelenskyy said, commenting on his potential meeting with the head of the Kremlin.
He recalled that there had been a signal from the Russian side regarding direct talks. At the same time, the United States has supported the start of dialogue between the leaders of Russia and Ukraine. According to the president, he personally backed Washington's proposal, as Kyiv supports any path toward ending the war.
At the same time, the President emphasized that if Putin expresses a willingness to agree to a ceasefire, it would "open the path to discussing all other elements of ending the war."
In that case, Ukrainian and Russian officials would be able to meet, as they would have the political will of their leaders behind them.
"If he's afraid of meeting me face-to-face... I believe that in any dialogue, we must focus on the main goal. Neither side will get emotional satisfaction from the dialogue. That means we might achieve a result — and that is far more important than any emotions," Zelenskyy added.
He explained that the result is the end of the war, and the first step toward that is a ceasefire.
"Let's make it happen. I'll be in Türkiye. President Erdoğan will be there. Everyone is ready for a meeting with the Russian leader — especially since it was his initiative," Zelenskyy said.
Talks in Istanbul
Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed a desire to resume direct negotiations with Ukraine. He proposed holding a meeting in Istanbul on May 15.
In response, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy made a counter-proposal — he wants the meeting in Istanbul to take place at the highest level and has stated he will attend in person.
As of now, it remains unclear who will represent Russia, as Putin has not yet responded to Zelenskyy's proposal.
