Zelenskyy to meet Erdogan in Istanbul for talks on war, Black Sea security

Turkey has proposed hosting trilateral negotiations involving Ukraine, Russia, and the United States, with Ukrainian President Zelensky signaling willingness to meet Russian President Putin in Istanbul. This follows Zelensky's confirmed visit to Istanbul for talks with Turkish President Erdogan on bilateral cooperation, the war, and Black Sea security. Russia's response to the proposed talks remains unconfirmed, introducing significant uncertainty regarding the initiative's viability.

Ukrainian President Zelensky has signaled openness to discussing security guarantees for Russia and direct talks with Putin on territorial issues, representing a notable shift in Kyiv's previously firm stance. While these claims indicate a potential softening of Ukraine's position, the specifics of conditions and whether these represent formal policy shifts or exploratory rhetoric remain unclear. Turkish mediation efforts continue, with Zelensky scheduled to meet Erdogan.