Kyiv: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that Ukraine will reach out to several countries this week regarding hosting a potential summit with Russia to address the ongoing conflict. In a video address shared on X, Zelenskyy mentioned that discussions will occur with Trkiye, Gulf countries, and European states as possible platforms for these crucial talks.
According to Anadolu Agency, Zelenskyy emphasized that Ukraine is fully prepared on its end to resolve the over three-and-a-half-year-long conflict. He stressed the importance of confirmation from Ukraine's partners and highlighted the need for world leaders, particularly from the US, to exert pressure on Russia to participate in negotiations. Zelenskyy called for new measures such as sanctions and tariffs, which he discussed with US Special Envoy for Ukraine Keith Kellogg during a recent meeting in Kyiv.
Zelenskyy also accused Russia of avoiding genuine negotiations, suggesting that only increased sanctions and tariffs could change Moscow's stance. Last week, he identified Trkiye, Austria, and Switzerland as potential venues for a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, amidst US President Donald Trump's diplomatic efforts to mediate between the two nations.
In an interview with NBC News, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated that Putin had communicated Moscow's willingness to continue direct peace talks with Kyiv during a phone call with Trump. Putin underscored the need for thorough preparation for any high-level meetings, especially one with Zelenskyy.
Trkiye has previously played a significant role in facilitating diplomatic encounters between Moscow and Kyiv, hosting three rounds of peace talks in Istanbul. These negotiations resulted in major prisoner swaps and the exchange of draft memorandums outlining positions for a future peace deal.
In related developments, Andriy Yermak, head of Ukraine's Presidential Office, revealed on X that he and National Security and Defense Council Secretary Rustem Umerov concluded the first part of their international visit. They met with Qatari Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani for substantive discussions. The talks focused on the peace process, security guarantees, and humanitarian efforts, with Yermak expressing gratitude to Qatar and affirming Ukraine's commitment to achieving a sustainable and just peace. He indicated upcoming visits to other countries in pursuit of this goal.