Zelenskyy urges Putin to 'show leadership' and join talks

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has called on Russian President Vladimir Putin to demonstrate leadership by attending peace negotiations in person, accusing the Kremlin of showing blatant disrespect not only toward Ukraine but also toward the United States and Turkey.

Speaking at a press conference in Ankara on Wednesday, Zelenskyy criticized Putin for failing to appear in Istanbul, where Russian and Ukrainian delegations are set to hold talks aimed at de-escalating the ongoing war.

“I believe the Kremlin ruler must demonstrate leadership, and if he is ready for negotiations, then he should meet without any preconditions. Let’s meet,” Zelenskyy said. “We’re in Ankara now. After this, we’re sending a delegation to Istanbul. He’s not here, he’s not in Istanbul. We can’t run all over the world looking for the man.”

Zelenskyy added that Putin’s absence and the low-level nature of Russia’s delegation reflect a broader disregard not only for Ukraine but for the international community facilitating the talks. “It’s disrespect toward Erdogan, disrespect toward Trump,” he stated. “Trump is sending a large group of people, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The parties to the war are Russia and Ukraine. Secretary Rubio is here, Türkiye’s foreign minister is here, Ukraine’s foreign minister is here – where is the appropriate representative from the Russian Federation?”

The Ukrainian leader underscored that the current situation sends a “mirror image” of Russia’s unwillingness to engage seriously. “There’s no scheduled time, no agenda, no high-level delegation – that’s personal disrespect,” he said.

Putin had earlier proposed resuming talks with Ukraine on May 15 in Istanbul, a move backed by Turkish mediation. However, the Kremlin confirmed he would not be attending. Instead, Russia's delegation is led by presidential aide Vladimir Medinsky, along with Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin, Deputy Defense Minister Alexander Fomin, and military intelligence chief Igor Kostyukov.

Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and former President Donald Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff are expected to join the talks in Istanbul later this week, signaling strong Western interest in brokering a diplomatic breakthrough.