Volodymyr Zelensky said in a message on Wednesday evening (14/5) that he had discussed with his team the format of the upcoming talks in Turkey, waiting to see who will represent Russia before deciding on Ukraine’s next move.

“I am waiting to see who will come from Russia, and then I will decide the steps Ukraine should take,” the Ukrainian president said, expressing doubts about Moscow’s willingness to contribute to the de-escalation.

At the same time, Zelensky also referred to reports that US President Donald Trump is considering attending the talks in Ankara, noting that this could be the strongest factor in influencing the process. “This week might change a lot. Everything is being decided right now,” he said, leaving open all possibilities for the outcome of the contacts.

Thanks to the leaders and countries that put pressure on Russia

Zelensky did not fail to thank leaders and countries that continue to put pressure on Russia to stop the attacks and pave the way for meaningful negotiations. “Russia is prolonging the war and the casualties. I thank every country and leader who is pressuring Moscow to stop the bombing so that there can be meaningful talks at a level where real decisions can be made,” he said, stressing the importance of international pressure to achieve a lasting peace.

Watch the Ukrainian president’s message:

“Without Putin, there will be no presidential-level talks,” Podolyak says

The Ukrainian side’s stance ahead of the upcoming talks in Istanbul was addressed in an interview with Ukrainian presidential adviser, Mikhailo Podolyak, making it clear that presidential-level negotiations will not take place if Russian President Vladimir Putin does not attend in person.

“If Putin is not there, then there will certainly not be negotiations at the leaders’ level,” he told RBK-Ukraine.

Podolyak noted that the participation of the Ukrainian delegation in the talks depends solely on the decision of Volodymyr Zelensky, who has made it clear that if the Russian president is not present, the talks will be meaningless at the presidential level. “Only Zelensky can decide whether Ukraine will participate without Putin’s presence, but in this case, the talks will not be held at the level of heads of state,” the adviser to the Ukrainian president stressed.

The Ukrainian official also made it clear that for real decisions to be made, Putin’s physical presence at the talks is necessary. “If we really want to reach some real decisions, then Putin must be there,” he said, noting that the Ukrainian side would not settle for a lower-level symbolic participation.