Zelensky to meet only Putin at Istanbul peace summit
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has confirmed that he will only hold direct talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the upcoming meeting scheduled for May 15 in Istanbul.
His advisor, Mykhailo Podolyak, made it clear that no other Russian official—not Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, not Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, and not chief negotiator Vladimir Medinsky—holds the authority to negotiate terms of war or peace.
“If Putin agrees to direct talks, we will amend the law to allow such a meeting,” Podolyak stated. Ukraine’s current legal framework prohibits negotiations with certain members of the Russian leadership, including Putin. However, Podolyak emphasized that if Putin genuinely wants to meet, Ukrainian legislation can be revised to make that possible.
He also criticized the effectiveness of previous delegations, noting, “Sending Mishustin or Medinsky is pointless. They can’t even decide what to have for lunch without Putin’s approval. We want only one person: Vladimir Putin.”
Meanwhile, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed that preparations for the Istanbul talks are underway but did not specify who will represent Russia. While Putin has expressed willingness to meet “without preconditions,” he continues to ignore international calls for a ceasefire.
In response, President Zelensky has reiterated his readiness to engage in direct discussions, adding, “We’re not afraid of anything. We’ll wait in Istanbul and see if they show up this time.”
Former U.S. President Donald Trump has also announced his intention to attend the meeting in Istanbul.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
