President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky expressed his readiness to negotiate with Russian President Vladimir Putin, but has set a condition for their conduct - the beginning of the ceasefire regime from May 12 , 2025 . However, from new reports it became known that even if the Kremlin has refused a truce, the meeting of the leaders of the two countries will take place.
On May 11 , it became known that Zelensky is ready to meet Putin in Istanbul ( Turkey). If this meeting takes place, it will be the first personal meeting between the leaders of Ukraine and Russia since the start of a full -scale war. The Ukrainian president, supported by the international community, confirmed his readiness for direct negotiations, but called for an unconditional ceasefire . This was the result of the negotiations that took place on May 10 between Zelensky, the leaders of several NATO countries and former US President Donald Trump. The latter also expressed his desire for a truce for 30 days, which could be a step towards recovering the peace process. The United States and their European partners have expressed the support of this plan, but the Kremlin not yet confirmed its readiness to cease fire.
At the same time, Putin, despite the requests international leaders, rejected the possibility of a truce. However, he agreed to a meeting with Zelensky, which they plan to hold on Thursday. In response to these events Trump noted that the results of the negotiations would find out if there is a chance for a peace agreement. If the armistice is not reached , Europe and the US are ready to take appropriate measures. Donald Trump also emphasized that Putin is too focused on celebrating victory in World War II , which could prevent peace .
Despite the difficulties in reaching the arrangements, Zelensky, according to Ukrainian officials, is ready to go to Istanbul even without guarantees of a truce, putting a chance for peace talks.
