Bangladesh, May 12 -- Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky has publicly stated his willingness to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin for direct talks in Türkiye on May 15 – but only under the condition that Moscow first agrees to a ceasefire. His announcement marks a significant, though cautious, shift in the Ukrainian leaderships approach to ending the ongoing conflict, while also highlighting the deep mistrust that continues to characterize relations between Kiev and Moscow.

Posting on the social media platform X on May 11, Zelensky wrote, “I will be in Türkiye this Thursday, May 15, and I expect Putin to come to Türkiye as well. Personally. And I hope that this time, Putin wont be looking for excuses as ...