Volodymyr Zelenskyy says he is ready to meet Vladimir Putin in Turkey for direct talks about the war in Ukraine

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky told CNN Turk on Sunday that he is ready to meet Russian leader Vladimir Putin face-to-face in Turkey for direct talks on the war and a possible peace agreement.

Zelensky made the statement after a discussion on Saturday with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, during which Turkey’s role as a possible mediator was examined. The Ukrainian leader said Ankara could organize a trilateral meeting attended by the presidents of Ukraine, Russia and Turkey, and that Kyiv would be willing to take part.

The Ukrainian president has repeatedly said that he accepts a direct meeting with Putin. Moscow, however, has insisted that it take place in Moscow, a condition rejected by Zelensky.

Meanwhile, under pressure from the United States, Russia and Ukraine are preparing to resume expert-level negotiations after a pause of several months. Delegations from Ukraine, Russia and the United States are expected to meet in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, in mid-November. Zelensky maintains that key issues, including the territorial issue, can be resolved only through direct talks with Putin.