Zelansky says Ukraine is open to any format of peace talks with Russia ahead of Turkish meeting.

Ukrainian President Volodimier Zelansky said on Wednesday that his country is ready for a “any format” of peace talks with Russia ahead of a planned meeting in Turki on Thursday. Zelansky said that the next steps of Kiev would depend on who sends the Moscow table.“Ukraine is ready for any format of the conversation, and we are not afraid of meetings. Tomorrow – in Türkiye,” Zelancesi said at his daily video address on Wednesday. “I am waiting to see who will reach Russia. Then I will decide what steps Ukraine should take.”Kremlin has not yet named its delegation for the Istanbul talks.The announcement was made amid fresh diplomatic efforts to end the war, which has been dragged for nearly three years. Last week, Zelansky said he was ready to try to secure a permanent ceasefire in Turkey directly from Russian President Vladimir Putin. “I will wait for Putin,” he said.The Ukrainian leader said that his government was committed to negotiating until there was a real stop in the fight. The push for peace is at the end of a week of rapid speed, including Putin to resume direct negotiations in Istanbul on 15 May in Istanbul.Despite this proposal, Russia continued shelling areas in Sumi and Kherson regions of Ukraine, killing many citizens and doubting the honesty of Moscow’s intentions.Nevertheless, world leaders have reacted carefully to development. French President Emmanuel Macron described Putin’s move as “a first step, but not enough”, warning that it could be an attempt to buy just time. Leaders of France, Germany, Poland and UK jointly called for an immediate ceasefire and threatened further sanctions if Russia fails to follow.Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump welcomed the latest push towards peace. Posting on Truth Social, he wrote: “Think of hundreds of thousands of life that will be saved because it will never end ‘bloodbath’ that it will end. It will be a new, and much better, world.” Trump said he would continue working with both sides and added, “USA, instead, wants to focus on reconstruction and business. A big week upcoming!”Trump’s special messenger for Ukraine, retired Lieutenant General Keith Kelog described the proposed ceasefire as “comprehensive”, saying that it will cover the land, air, sea and infrastructure. He said that this could indicate the beginning of the end of the largest and longest war in Europe since World War II.Putin said that he was ready for “serious talks” and was working with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoan to support the talks. But he warned that any Trus should lead “permanent peace” instead of giving Ukraine time for the reconstruction of his army.That stance reacted a sharp reaction to Kiev. The Zelanceci’s office said in a statement: “According to the definition an unconditional ceasefire cannot be subject to any situation. If Russia asks for such situations, it can only be considered as an attempt to prolong war and weaken diplomacy.”