Ukraine and Russia may be inching toward direct leader-level talks, as negotiators in Istanbul broached the long-delayed prospect of a meeting between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Zelenskyy confirmed Friday that Moscow and Kyiv negotiators discussed the potential sit-down during this week's peace talks in Türkiye. Though still far from certain, he called the development a “step forward.”
“We need an end to the war, which probably begins with a meeting of leaders,” Zelenskyy said in comments to journalists. “In talks with us, they have begun to discuss it. This is already progress.”
Trump-backed deadline looms
Ukrainian negotiator Rustem Umerov proposed holding the meeting before the end of August – a date that conveniently aligns with a 50-day deadline set by U.S. President Donald Trump, who urged both sides to strike a deal or face sweeping new sanctions from Washington.
