On November 1, 2026, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated in an interview with the Turkish television channel CNN Türk that he is ready to hold a face-to-face meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Turkey. According to the Ukrainian leader, the primary goal of such contact should be a ceasefire along the entire frontline. Zelenskyy emphasized that high-level dialogue is "necessary," as previous contacts between the parties have not yet led to the end of the war.
Why Turkey Specifically
The Ukrainian leader explained that he is counting on the assistance of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in organizing the negotiations, citing his personal ties with Vladimir Putin. "I know that President Erdogan has his own ties with Putin. Therefore, we support a meeting in Turkey," Zelenskyy stated. He recalled that delegations have already held talks in Turkey, and technical groups have met in the UAE, noting that despite certain results, the war continues. In his estimation, further progress requires the political will of the countries' leaders.
Agenda of the Potential Meeting
Among the key topics for a meeting with Putin, Zelenskyy named a ceasefire along the frontline and the creation of a mechanism to monitor compliance with agreements. In addition, at the presidential level, he believes it is necessary to discuss security guarantees, the reconstruction of Ukraine, and territorial issues. The head of state emphasized that direct negotiations can help find solutions to issues that cannot be resolved at the level of delegations and technical groups: "That is why I want to meet with him as the decision-maker."
Kyiv's Red Lines
At the same time, Zelenskyy assured that he will not agree to demands to cede the Donbas and recognize Crimea as Russian, explaining that such concessions would contradict the Constitution of Ukraine. He also warned that the leaders' meeting must lead to concrete progress, otherwise it could be regarded as a failure of diplomacy.
Moscow's Position and the Phone Call Issue
The day before, on October 30, following the G20 Foreign Ministers' meeting in Atlanta, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated that Vladimir Putin is not refusing face-to-face talks, but, according to him, is ready for a personal meeting in Moscow. Simultaneously, sources note that preparations are underway for trilateral negotiations between Russia, the US, and Ukraine in Abu Dhabi. The Kremlin has also stated that Putin could answer a call from Zelenskyy. The Office of the President of Ukraine, in turn, reported that Zelenskyy does not yet intend to call Putin. Thus, both sides confirm interest in high-level contact, but differ on the format and location of its holding.
