Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced on Sunday that Ukraine is ready to resume peace talks with Russia in Istanbul, following Russian President Vladimir Putin’s invitation. Zelenskyy’s statement came after U.S. President Donald Trump publicly urged Kyiv to accept Putin’s offer, stressing the need for an immediate ceasefire and diplomatic engagement.

In his message on X, Zelenskyy stated that he is waiting for a full and lasting ceasefire, beginning on Monday, as a foundation for meaningful negotiations. “We await a full and lasting ceasefire, starting tomorrow, to provide the necessary basis for diplomacy. There is no point in prolonging the killings. And I will be waiting for Putin in Türkiye on Thursday. Personally. I hope that this time the Russians will not look for excuses,” Zelenskyy remarked.

The peace talks, initially held in Istanbul, were interrupted in March 2022. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan expressed support for the resumption of dialogue, reiterating Türkiye’s readiness to host negotiations aimed at a lasting solution.

In a call with Putin, Erdoğan emphasized the importance of resuming talks from where they left off, praising the Russian leader’s decision. Erdoğan assured that Türkiye is prepared to facilitate a diplomatic breakthrough.

The announcement came after Trump’s statement on Truth Social, where he insisted that Ukraine should agree to meet with Putin in Istanbul. “Ukraine should agree to this, IMMEDIATELY. At least they will be able to determine whether or not a deal is possible,” Trump wrote, adding that world leaders would better understand the situation’s trajectory.