Ukrainian Side: Zelensky Will Only Meet Putin, Rejects Talks with Other Russian Representatives

Ukrainian Side: Zelensky Will Only Meet Putin, Rejects Talks with Other Russian Representatives

On May 13 local time, Mykhailo Podolyak, an advisor to the Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, stated on a Ukrainian television program that President Volodymyr Zelensky would not meet with any Russian representatives other than President Vladimir Putin in Istanbul.

Zelensky Willing to Hold Direct Talks with Putin in Turkey

On May 12, President Zelensky said in his evening video address that he had a substantive conversation with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and thanked him for his support. Zelensky confirmed to Erdoğan that Ukraine is ready to hold direct and substantive talks with Russian President Putin and is prepared to travel to Turkey for the meeting. President Erdoğan expressed his full support for the proposed talks.

Zelensky also specifically mentioned that former U.S. President Donald Trump fully supports the meeting and hopes Trump can find an opportunity to come to Turkey.

Putin: Russia Willing to Hold Direct Talks Without Preconditions

At 1:36 a.m. on May 11 local time, Russian President Vladimir Putin held a press conference at the Kremlin. He proposed resuming direct Russia-Ukraine talks in Istanbul, Turkey, on May 15 without setting any preconditions.