Zelensky made the proposal on Saturday, October 31, 2026, asking Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan to facilitate a meeting with Putin to address issues that have continued to stall peace negotiations between the two countries.
Speaking to journalists, Zelensky said some major issues could not be resolved by the two countries’ representatives or teams of experts, but required direct discussions and decisions by their leaders.
He said he wanted the meeting to take place in Türkiye, citing the good relationship between President Erdoğan and Putin, which he believes could help facilitate the talks.
Russia, however, rejected the proposal to hold the meeting in Türkiye, saying Zelensky could travel to Moscow if he wanted to hold talks with Putin.
Putin’s adviser, Yury Ushakov, told journalists that the Russian President had never refused to meet Zelensky and was ready to receive him in Moscow.
“He is sending messages through various channels. If he genuinely wants talks, he has the right to come to Moscow,” Ushakov said.
On Saturday, President Erdoğan hosted Zelensky in Istanbul, where they discussed the ongoing war between Ukraine and Russia.
Speaking to journalists, Erdoğan expressed concern that the conflict continues to affect security in the Black Sea region. He urged both sides to avoid actions that could further escalate tensions.
He stressed that intensifying the war and targeting civilian vessels would benefit neither side.
Erdoğan also recalled that peace negotiations held in Türkiye during the early stages of the war had demonstrated that dialogue could produce results.
The developments come as Russia announced that trilateral talks involving Ukraine and the United States are expected to resume in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, in early November 2026.
The talks are expected to focus on security issues that would need to be addressed if the two sides reach a peace agreement.
The Russia-Ukraine war began in February 2022 and has lasted more than four years, claiming many lives and destroying infrastructure.
