Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Sunday that he hopes Moscow is committed to a 30-day ceasefire, adding that Kiev is “preparing” to meet Russia for a direct truce.
His comments were posted in Russian President Vladimir Putin in direct negotiations with Ukraine in Istanbul on May 15, but did not resolve the 30-day ceasefire proposal.
Erdogan welcomed the Russian leader’s claim that peace talks should resume in Istanbul, and they were suspended on Sunday’s call with Putin.
“Turkey is ready to hold negotiations aimed at achieving a lasting solution,” he told Putin. “The window of opportunity to achieve peace is open and a full ceasefire will create the necessary environment for peace negotiations.”
“Window of Opportunity”
The Turkish leader also spoke with French President Emmanuel Macron, who visited Keefe on Saturday with leaders from Germany, Britain and Poland.
Leaders of France, Britain, Germany and Poland put pressure on Russia – supported by U.S. President Donald Trump – have promised an unconditional ceasefire in Ukraine together from Monday.
Erdogan told Macron in a call that “a historic turning point has been reached to end the war between Ukraine and Russia, and this opportunity must be seized, and Turkey is ready to provide various support, including host negotiations, to achieve a ceasefire and lasting peace.”
Paris confirmed that a call between the two leaders happened.
On May 5, Trump said he wanted to work with Erdogan to end the Ukrainian war after the two leaders spoke over the phone.
Türkiye’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan attended a meeting of European countries supporting Ukraine on Saturday.
“Türkiye is ready to take responsibility to observe the ceasefire when it is established,” said Feda, a Turkish diplomatic source who hopes to remain anonymous.
