Zelensky challenges Putin to meet ‘in person’ for peace talks

Russia and Ukraine took a significant step towards discussing pathways to an end to the Ukraine war on Sunday when Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he would personally be “waiting for Putin in Türkiye” on Thursday. Putin accepted to engage in “direct talks” with Ukraine, but refused Zelensky’s request to implement an unconditional ceasefire proposal Ukraine and its allies presented on Friday prior to the talks.