Zelensky was ready for a face-to-face meeting with Putin, but the Russian leader refused

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky commented on the Russia-Ukraine negotiations held in Turkey. According to him, the Ukrainian delegation was ready for a personal meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin to openly discuss all pressing and critical issues between the two countries. However, the Russian leader did not agree to such an open dialogue.

"Yesterday, I was in Ankara. We met with President Erdoğan. I express my gratitude to him for his assistance, hospitality, and for creating favorable conditions for the negotiations. I was ready not only to meet personally with Vladimir Putin but also openly discuss all crucial bilateral issues. However, the Russian president did not accept this proposal," Zelensky emphasized.

According to the Ukrainian president, the Russian delegation sent to Istanbul did not include officials authorized to make real decisions.

"The Russian delegation arrived at the negotiations without officials capable of making real decisions or holding influence. Nevertheless, we took negotiations seriously from our side and sent a high-level delegation led by our defense minister to Istanbul. The main goal was to determine if the Russian side had genuine willingness and the necessary authority to conduct negotiations," stressed the Ukrainian leader.

Volodymyr Zelensky also stated that Ukraine is ready to consider and implement all realistic and practical measures aimed at establishing peace, ending hostilities, and concluding the war.

"I hope that Putin will find the courage to empower his delegation to make real decisions during negotiations. I will inform the public about every stage of the negotiations in Istanbul, and I hope Russia will take concrete and practical steps to stop the war," concluded Zelensky.

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