Zelensky Throws Down the Gauntlet to Putin

Ukraine challenged Russian President Vladimir Putin to join talks in Istanbul on Thursday and said if he failed to do so, it would show he was not serious about peace, and that the world should take a tougher stance against Russia.

Putin has not yet answered Zelensky's call for a face-to-face meeting in Turkey, Andriy Yermak, head of the office of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Tuesday.

Yermak pointed to "very strong and very clear statements" by President Donald Trump that he would like Putin and Zelensky to meet for direct talks in Istanbul, and that he may even attend himself.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov would not confirm on Tuesday whether Putin would attend. Newsweek has contacted the Kremlin for comment.

Why It Matters

Diplomacy over the war took a surprise turn last weekend when Putin called for a restart of talks between both sides that were paused in 2022, without specifying who could attend from the Russian side.

Zelensky responded by inviting the Russian leader to meet in Turkey's biggest city on Thursday but as of Tuesday, the Kremlin had not revealed whether Putin would do so.

Both Kyiv and Moscow are jockeying to show they back Trump's pledge for a swift end to the war. Ukraine wants more Washington military support while Putin would like an easing of sanctions.

Yermak's comments are also a challenge to Trump not to trust Putin and respond strongly if the Russian leader does not turn on up on Thursday.

What To Know

Yermak was speaking via video link to the Copenhagen Democracy Summit on Tuesday. He said that if Putin refuses to attend the first direct peace talks since 2022 on Thursday it would be the final sign that he did not want to end the war.

He said a Putin refusal should result in a tough response from Trump and the international community, which should include new sanctions on Moscow and further military aid for Ukraine.

Also on Tuesday, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said that Moscow will announce its representative for the proposed talks in Istanbul when Putin "deems it necessary."

The Ukrainian Presidential Office has signaled that Zelensky would not meet any other Russian official except Putin, as only he can make the key decisions about the war.

Ukrainian presidential advisor Mykhailo Podolyak told Ukrainian television that any talks involving lower-level representatives would be pointless.

What People Are Saying

Andriy Yermak, head of the Ukrainian presidential office: "I think if President Putin will refuse to come to Turkey, it will be the last signal that Russia doesn't want to end this war."

Yermak added that the U.S. and international response should be "very strong" and include "new sanctions, new military aid to Ukraine, because it will be a clear demonstration of the position of Putin and Russia."

Regarding the identity of the Russian representative for the talks in Istanbul, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said: "We will announce it when the president deems it necessary."

Kajsa Ollongren, former Defence Minister of the Netherlands: "This week's going to be crucial because we will get the answer from the Russians and from Putin if they're actually willing to engage in serious talks about a ceasefire and at some point sustainable and lasting peace."

What Happens Next

Peskov's non-committal comment to Russian media also included saying that Moscow's preparations for negotiations with Ukraine in Istanbul continue. But there is uncertainty over whether the Russian leader will be there and if not, what will be the response of Kyiv, not to mention Trump.

Update 05/13/25, 9:30 a.m. ET: This article has been updated with further information.