EditZelenskyy: Turkey, Gulf states or European nations could host talks with Putin
The likelihood of a direct meeting remains low due to entrenched differences and Russia’s reluctance to engage at the highest level
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has intensified efforts to broker direct talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, identifying Turkey, Gulf States, or European nations as potential hosts for negotiations aimed at ending Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine,
Speaking in his nightly video address on Tuesday (26 August), Zelenskyy emphasised Ukraine’s commitment to preparing “to the maximum” for such talks, underscoring the need for international coordination, particularly with the United States, to exert pressure on Russia through sanctions and tariffs.
This diplomatic push follows a flurry of activity, including meetings in Kyiv with U.S. envoy Keith Kellogg and engagements by Zelenskyy’s chief of staff, Andriy Yermak, in Qatar with the country’s defence minister, signalling a multi-front effort to build momentum for peace negotiations.
However, the likelihood of a direct Zelenskyy-Putin meeting remains low due to entrenched differences, Russia’s apparent reluctance to engage at the highest level, and mixed signals from Moscow.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has stated that no agenda exists for such a summit, and Putin has consistently avoided direct talks, as evidenced by his absence from lower-level negotiations in Istanbul in May 2025, where Russia sent a delegation led by former culture minister Vladimir Medinsky, which Zelenskyy dismissed as “decorative.”
President Donald Trump, the key figure in pushing for talks, has acknowledged personal tensions, stating that Putin “doesn’t like” Zelenskyy, and has insisted that no significant progress will occur without his own direct involvement with Putin. The irreconcilable positions – Russia’s demand for Ukraine’s capitulation, including ceding occupied territories and abandoning NATO aspirations, versus Ukraine’s insistence on full territorial restoration, prisoner returns, and war crime prosecutions – further diminish the prospects of a meaningful summit.
Stalemate
The war, which has killed hundreds of thousands and displaced millions, has reached a stalemate, with Russian forces occupying roughly 20% of Ukraine, including Crimea and parts of Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia. Putin’s demands, reiterated in June 2024, include Ukraine’s permanent neutrality, demilitarisation, and recognition of Russia’s territorial claims, which Zelenskyy has likened to Hitler’s ultimatums. Ukraine, backed by Western allies, seeks a full Russian withdrawal, security guarantees akin to NATO’s Article 5, and accountability for war crimes, including the abduction of Ukrainian children.
Previous talks, such as those in Belarus and Turkey in March 2022, collapsed due to these unbridgeable gaps, and recent Russian military actions, including a barrage of 574 drones and 40 missiles on 21 August, signal Moscow’s lack of commitment to de-escalation.
International pressure, particularly from the U.S. and European allies, is central to Zelenskyy’s strategy. On 19 August Trump hosted Zelenskyy and leaders from the UK, France, Germany, Italy, and NATO in Washington, where discussions focused on security guarantees and sanctions to compel Russia to negotiate. European leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, have pushed for a 30-day unconditional ceasefire, threatening “massive” sanctions if Russia refuses.
Trump’s bark bigger than his bite
While Trump has repeatedly threatened “massive” sanctions and tariffs to pressure Russia into a ceasefire in Ukraine, his actions suggest a preference for negotiation over punitive measures, and his administration’s follow-through has been limited, aligning with the sentiment that his “bark is bigger than his bite.”
Trump threatens ‘severe consequences’ if Putin blocks Ukraine peace
Trump’s support for sanctions is conditional on maintaining presidential control, rejecting congressional oversight that could limit his ability to waive penalties. The administration has resisted the current draft of the sanctions bill, which allows a 180-day waiver subject to congressional review, insisting on “complete” waiver authority. This suggests Trump views sanctions as a bargaining chip rather than a committed policy.
The proposed sanctions, targeting Russia’s shadow fleet and banks, could disrupt its war funding, but Russia’s trade pivot to non-Western partners and Trump’s reluctance to fully commit – evidenced by his pause on Ukraine aid and delayed action – suggest his rhetoric may overpromise.
With Reuters, NBCnews, edited by g.g.
File photo. A handout photo made available by the UAE Presidential Court shows (L-R) Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy speaking with Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates, during the signing of a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), at an official reception at Al Shati Palace, Abu Dhabi, UAE, 17 February 2025. EPA/RYAN CARTER
Updated: August 27, 2025 - 06:42
