Zelensky says Ukraine ready for any format ahead of Turkey talks

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed his country’s readiness for any kind of negotiation format ahead of planned talks in Turkey between Russia and Ukraine.

“Ukraine is ready for any format of negotiations and we are not afraid of meetings,” he said in his Wednesday evening video address. “Tomorrow – in Turkey.”

Zelensky had repeatedly demanded that Russian President Vladimir Putin himself participate in the negotiations, as he alone in Russia has the authority over war and peace. The head of the Ukrainian presidential office, Andriy Yermak, called for sanctions to be imposed on Russia if Putin does not travel to Turkey.

Moscow has so far left the question of who is attending the meeting open. Putin had proposed direct negotiations in Turkey starting on Thursday but did not say whether he would personally attend. According to the Russian daily newspaper Kommersant, it is clear that Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov will not be present.

Ukraine has been defending itself with Western assistance against a full-scale Russian invasion for more than three years.