Zelensky will decide on talks with Russia after meeting with Erdoğan

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will make a decision regarding negotiations with Russia after his meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

AFP reports, citing sources.

“The president is starting his visit with Erdogan in Ankara, and only then will he decide on the next steps,” a senior official told the outlet, following Russian media reports about the arrival of the Russian delegation in Istanbul.

The meeting between the Ukrainian and Turkish presidents is scheduled for 1:00 PM.

According to The Wall Street Journal, citing Ukrainian officials, the Ukrainian delegation in Istanbul plans to discuss with the Russian side the announcement of a 30-day ceasefire and mechanisms for further monitoring.

Russia, for its part, reportedly wants to negotiate based on the Istanbul Agreement, a draft that was prepared but never finalized in the spring of 2022.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha has already met in Turkey with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Senator Lindsey Graham, and French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot.