Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he was available today to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Turkey because he believes that it is necessary to negotiate at the highest level in order to end the war.
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01/11/2026
by
Lusa
O ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said today he was available to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Turkey, because he believes that it is necessary to negotiate at the highest level in order to end the war.
“Yes. We're willing. We are prepared to meet in Turkey. Turkey's position on this is clear. The position of President [Recep Tayyip] Erdogan is clear. We have close and good relations with Turkey”, said in an interview with CNN Turk, quoted by Europapress.
Zelensky thus considers Ankara to be a “practical” and “realistic” mediator and recalled the Turkish authorities’ support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
“ I know that President Erdogan has his own contacts with Putin. That is why we support the meeting in Turkey,” he explained.
The Ukrainian Head of State recalled that, despite contacts in various formats, with delegations and technical teams, the war continues and therefore considers a meeting of leaders necessary.
“ Technical teams may have difficulty achieving results, but I don't think there's any problem that we leaders can't solve if we show will. That is why I want to meet as one of the decision-makers,” he said.
In particular, it mentioned issues that should be addressed at the highest level, such as security guarantees, reconstruction of Ukraine or the territorial issue.
On this last point, he stressed that Ukraine will not renounce territories or recognise any territory as Russian, not even Crimea, because it goes against the Constitution and against the Ukrainian “will of the people”.