Ukrainian President Zelenskyy confirmed he is ready to meet Russian President Putin in Turkey on May 15, after Trump urged immediate talks without awaiting a ceasefire. Putin proposed the face-to-face meeting in a late-night speech, which Zelenskyy accepted, despite previously calling for a 30-day ceasefire before talks.
Trump has pushed for immediate discussions, dismissing the ceasefire, stating that Ukraine should meet Putin in Turkey to determine if a deal is possible.
The European Union and Ukraine have called for a 30-day truce, warning of massive sanctions if Putin refuses. However, Russia rejected this demand and emphasized addressing the conflict's root causes before discussing a ceasefire.
The meeting will be hosted in Istanbul, but it's unclear if Putin will attend in person.