U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff is set to join talks with Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky and Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara this Wednesday, as Zelensky expresses a desire to 'intensify' peace negotiations. 'Bringing the end of the war closer with all our might is Ukraine's top priority,' Zelensky stated, noting that negotiations will also focus on resuming prisoner exchanges. Turkey has historically maintained connections with both Kyiv and Moscow, previously hosting negotiations between the two parties.
However, no Russian representatives will attend this meeting, according to Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov. Although he mentioned that while there were 'no concrete plans' for President Vladimir Putin to engage with either the Turkish side or Witkoff, Putin remains 'open to dialogue.'
The Ankara visit marks Zelensky's fourth capital visit in only a few days. In Athens, he secured a gas deal, in Paris, he signed an agreement for up to 100 fighter jets, and in Madrid, he discussed cooperation with Spanish arms manufacturers. These diplomatic missions are part of Zelensky's broader strategy to solidify European support as attacks from Russia intensify and as Russian forces approach the eastern city of Pokrovsk.
Domestically, Zelensky is confronting severe challenges, including investigations into members of his inner circle for their involvement in a large-scale corruption scheme, resulting in two ministerial resignations. This scandal threatens to expand further, with EU leaders warning Zelensky that addressing corruption is vital for accessing a €140 billion loan tied to frozen Russian state assets.
As the fourth anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022 approaches, perspectives on a resolution to the conflict remain starkly divided. Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov recently reiterated that Russia's preconditions for a peace accord, established by Putin in 2024, have not changed. These include Ukraine's renunciation of NATO ambitions and complete withdrawal from Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson regions.
Zelensky has consistently stated that yielding these areas would leave Ukraine vulnerable to further aggressions. Following a detailed meeting with Putin in April, Witkoff suggested that peace negotiations between Moscow and Kyiv hinge on the status of contested Ukrainian regions and Crimea, leading to heightened tensions with Zelensky, who accused him of spreading Russian narratives.
Despite their last meeting taking place in early September, recent months have seen a stagnation in American efforts to facilitate a ceasefire as diplomatic engagements wane. While at one point a potential Trump-Putin meeting in Budapest was anticipated, this was called off as U.S. officials recognized Russia's steadfast refusal to make concessions unacceptable to Ukraine.
Contact between U.S. and Russian officials has continued discreetly, with reports indicating Putin's special envoy Kirill Dmitriev visited Washington for discussions with Witkoff shortly after Trump imposed sanctions on Russia's leading oil companies.
However, no Russian representatives will attend this meeting, according to Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov. Although he mentioned that while there were 'no concrete plans' for President Vladimir Putin to engage with either the Turkish side or Witkoff, Putin remains 'open to dialogue.'
The Ankara visit marks Zelensky's fourth capital visit in only a few days. In Athens, he secured a gas deal, in Paris, he signed an agreement for up to 100 fighter jets, and in Madrid, he discussed cooperation with Spanish arms manufacturers. These diplomatic missions are part of Zelensky's broader strategy to solidify European support as attacks from Russia intensify and as Russian forces approach the eastern city of Pokrovsk.
Domestically, Zelensky is confronting severe challenges, including investigations into members of his inner circle for their involvement in a large-scale corruption scheme, resulting in two ministerial resignations. This scandal threatens to expand further, with EU leaders warning Zelensky that addressing corruption is vital for accessing a €140 billion loan tied to frozen Russian state assets.
As the fourth anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022 approaches, perspectives on a resolution to the conflict remain starkly divided. Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov recently reiterated that Russia's preconditions for a peace accord, established by Putin in 2024, have not changed. These include Ukraine's renunciation of NATO ambitions and complete withdrawal from Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson regions.
Zelensky has consistently stated that yielding these areas would leave Ukraine vulnerable to further aggressions. Following a detailed meeting with Putin in April, Witkoff suggested that peace negotiations between Moscow and Kyiv hinge on the status of contested Ukrainian regions and Crimea, leading to heightened tensions with Zelensky, who accused him of spreading Russian narratives.
Despite their last meeting taking place in early September, recent months have seen a stagnation in American efforts to facilitate a ceasefire as diplomatic engagements wane. While at one point a potential Trump-Putin meeting in Budapest was anticipated, this was called off as U.S. officials recognized Russia's steadfast refusal to make concessions unacceptable to Ukraine.
Contact between U.S. and Russian officials has continued discreetly, with reports indicating Putin's special envoy Kirill Dmitriev visited Washington for discussions with Witkoff shortly after Trump imposed sanctions on Russia's leading oil companies.
