Zelensky seeks to revive peace negotiations in Turkey… Possible meeting with Witkoff
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will travel to Turkey on Wednesday in an effort to revive peace negotiations whose initial rounds collapsed, as Russian military pressure intensifies in the eastern regions of the country.
Zelensky is scheduled to hold talks in Ankara aimed at convincing Washington to resume diplomatic efforts to end the war in Ukraine, according to a Ukrainian official quoted by Agence France-Presse. The Ukrainian president said he hopes to breathe new life into a peace process that stalled after several rounds of Russian-Ukrainian talks held in Istanbul earlier this year failed to produce any breakthrough.
Moscow has not agreed to a ceasefire, maintaining as a precondition that Kyiv recognize the separation of certain territories—an ultimatum Ukrainians firmly reject, viewing it as a de facto surrender. Meanwhile, Russian forces have continued advancing along the front line and intensifying their shelling of Ukrainian cities.
Zelensky, who visited Spain on Tuesday, is expected to meet Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Wednesday in Ankara as part of a broader European tour. In a press conference in Madrid, he stated: “Tomorrow, I will meet with President Erdogan. We will primarily discuss the most effective ways to ensure a just peace for Ukraine.”
A senior Ukrainian official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told AFP that the main objective of Zelensky’s visit is “to restore American involvement” in peace efforts, notably through sanctions against Russia and diplomatic pressure aimed at bringing the Kremlin back to the negotiating table.
Another high-ranking Ukrainian source anticipates that U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff will join the discussions with Zelensky in Turkey.
For its part, the Kremlin announced that no Russian officials would attend Wednesday’s talks in Turkey, while adding that Moscow remains open to negotiations aimed at resolving the conflict in Ukraine.
Meanwhile, U.S. lawmakers are preparing a draft bill to tighten sanctions on Russia by imposing tariffs on all countries purchasing Russian oil and gas. U.S. President Donald Trump said Tuesday that he had no objection to such legislation.
Trump has sought to leverage his personal rapport with Russian President Vladimir Putin to help end the war in Ukraine, though he has so far failed to achieve any significant progress. Frustrated with Putin’s stance, he has imposed sanctions on Russia’s two largest oil companies.
According to the Ukrainian official, “The Americans are currently exploring a new package of pressure measures, so reviving diplomatic momentum makes sense.” He added on social media: “We are preparing to reactivate negotiations and have developed proposals that we will present to our partners.”
Last month, Moscow launched its largest bombing campaign against Ukrainian gas facilities since the beginning of the military operation in 2022, leading to a shutdown of 60 percent of the country’s production of its main heating fuel. Kyiv has repeatedly targeted Russian fuel depots, refineries and other energy infrastructure, saying these strikes are a response to Moscow’s attacks.
