Mon May 12 07:06:04 UTC 2025: ## Zelenskyy Challenges Putin to Personal Meeting in Turkey Amidst Ceasefire Dispute

**Kyiv, Ukraine –** Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has issued a direct challenge to Russian President Vladimir Putin, demanding a personal meeting in Turkey on Thursday, May 15th. This dramatic escalation follows a weekend of conflicting proposals regarding a potential ceasefire and peace talks.

Zelenskyy’s challenge comes after the US urged Ukraine to accept Russia’s offer for direct talks in Turkey. While Ukraine and its European allies had previously demanded an unconditional 30-day ceasefire starting May 12th as a precondition for negotiations, Russia rejected this demand. Putin instead proposed direct talks without preconditions.

Zelenskyy insists on a ceasefire beginning May 12th before any talks, stating that prolonging the conflict is senseless. He remains hopeful for a lasting peace and declared he would be waiting for Putin in Turkey personally. The Kremlin has yet to respond to Zelenskyy’s challenge.

Adding to the complexity, US President Donald Trump has publicly urged Ukraine to immediately accept Putin’s proposal, stating that this would allow for a determination of whether a deal is possible. European leaders, including Emmanuel Macron, Keir Starmer, Friedrich Merz, and Donald Tusk, met with Zelenskyy in Kyiv on Saturday and issued a joint call for a 30-day truce, threatening tougher sanctions on Russia if Putin refuses.

Despite the conflicting signals, Turkey has expressed its willingness to host the proposed talks. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan spoke with both Putin and Macron, expressing support for the Russian proposal and readiness to facilitate the discussions. However, questions remain regarding the conditions under which any talks might proceed, and whether a ceasefire will indeed be implemented.

Meanwhile, Russia resumed drone attacks on Ukraine Sunday morning, following a self-declared three-day pause. Both sides accuse the other of ceasefire violations. The situation remains highly volatile, with the potential for further escalation, despite the ongoing diplomatic efforts.

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