Zelensky to push for Russia talks during Turkiye visit
Nov 19, 2025
Ankara [Turkey], November 19: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he hopes to advance efforts at reviving negotiations with Russia when he visits Turkiye on Wednesday.
"We are preparing to reinvigorate negotiations, and we have developed solutions that we will propose to our partners," Zelensky wrote on X, without providing details.
"Doing everything possible to bring the end of the war closer is Ukraine's top priority." Zelensky did not specify whether he was referring to direct talks with Moscow. He said Kiev is also working to restart prisoner exchange efforts to bring Ukrainian captives home.
Former Ukrainian defence minister Rustem Umerov said earlier that a deal had been discussed to exchange 1,200 prisoners on each side.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Russia was not participating in any talks in Turkiye. He told state news agency TASS that Moscow would judge Zelensky's proposals to see whether Ukraine was genuinely ready to negotiate.
Turkiye has frequently acted as a mediator and host for discussions during more than three and a half years of war in Ukraine.
Delegations from both sides met three times in Istanbul this year.
Source: Qatar Tribune
