President Trump on Sunday urged Ukraine to “immediately” meet with Russia for peace talks without first securing a cease-fire deal — just as Vladimir Putin has suggested.
The Russian president has proposed direct talks with Kyiv on Thursday in Turkey aimed at ending the war in Ukraine, which has spanned for more than three years since the Kremlin’s invasion.
“Ukraine should agree to this, IMMEDIATELY,” Trump posted on Truth Social. “At least they will be able to determine whether or not a deal is possible, and if it is not, European leaders, and the U.S., will know where everything stands, and can proceed accordingly!
“I’m starting to doubt that Ukraine will make a deal with Putin, who’s too busy celebrating the Victory of World War ll, which could not have been won (not even close!) without the United States of America. HAVE THE MEETING, NOW!!!.” the president added.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky responded online that he is open to holding the powow with Moscow, but he showed trepidation given Putin’s repeated refusal to make any concessions in the stalled peace talks brokered by the US.
Zelensky and his officials stressed that a cease-fire needs to be reached first and foremost before any talks could commence between Kyiv and Moscow.
“We await a full and lasting ceasefire, starting from tomorrow, to provide the necessary basis for diplomacy. There is no point in prolonging the killings,” Zelensky wrote in the statement.
“And I will be waiting for Putin in Turkey on Thursday. Personally. I hope that this time the Russians will not look for excuses,” he said.
Ukraine’s position was backed by Zelensky’s western allies, including Trump’s own special envoy to Kyiv, Keith Kellogg.
“An unconditional ceasefire first and, during it, move into comprehensive peace discussions. Not the other way round,” Kellogg wrote on X after Putin’s proposal.
French President Emmanuel Macron said Putin’s sudden push for peace talks without a cease-fire was proof that he was stalling and “looking for a way out” after sanction threats from the West.
Putin issued his proposal a day after Trump and European leaders threatened “massive sanctions” if Russia didn’t agree to a 30-day truce by Monday.
Zelensky said the cease-fire must be “full and unconditional” or else the European allies would slap additional energy and banking sanctions on Moscow.
