Ankara: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has expressed concerns that US President Donald Trump's approach to resolving the ongoing conflict places disproportionate pressure on Ukraine. "Trump's position is to put pressure on both sides. I believe that we were put under more pressure," Zelenskyy stated during a press interaction in Ankara, the capital of Trkiye.

According to Anadolu Agency, Zelenskyy highlighted that Ukraine has been proactive in supporting diplomatic initiatives led by the US and other international partners. He noted, "Ukraine took many different diplomatic steps, moved toward some kind of format, even a small format that could bring everyone closer to ending the war. But it cannot be one-sided."

Zelenskyy stressed the importance of international sanctions against Russia. "That's why we really want to see clear pressure on Russia, on Putin. Sanctions from Europe, the US, from other countries," he said.

In a bid to demonstrate Ukraine's commitment to peace talks, Zelenskyy announced that Defense Minister Rustem Umerov would head the Ukrainian delegation in forthcoming discussions with Russia in Istanbul. Despite expressing disappointment over the level of representation from the Russian side, Zelenskyy emphasized Ukraine's respect for President Trump and the Turkish delegation. "I decided to send our delegation to Istanbul - though not in full," he remarked, highlighting the absence of a ministerial-level counterpart from Russia.

The announcement came on the heels of a significant bilateral meeting between Zelenskyy and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan at Ankara's Presidential Complex. The confidential meeting, which lasted nearly three hours, was pivotal in shaping the diplomatic course ahead. Zelenskyy's visit to Trkiye began earlier in the day at Ankara's Esenboga Airport, where he was received by Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha and other officials attending an informal NATO foreign ministers meeting in Antalya.