Zelenskyy Heads to Türkiye for Talks as Kremlin Spokesperson Says Russian Reps Won’t Participate

cover Photo: Zelenskyy\'s telegram

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will travel to Türkiye on Nov. 19 in an effort to “reinvigorate negotiations” aimed at ending the war with Russia, he announced on Nov. 18, Orda.kz reports, citing The Kyiv Independent.

Zelenskyy said that Kyiv has prepared “specific solutions” it plans to present to its partners.

“Doing everything possible to bring the end of the war closer is Ukraine’s top priority,” he said while on a visit to Spain.

The visit comes as direct talks between Ukraine and Russia have been stalled for nearly four months, despite U.S.-backed efforts to restart dialogue.

According to Reuters, U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff will also travel to Türkiye and may join meetings with Zelenskyy. 

Meanwhile, the Kremlin signaled that Moscow will not participate.

Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said there would be no Russian representatives present in Türkiye and that “for now, these contacts are taking place without Russian participation.”

“We will wait to see what exactly will be discussed in Istanbul,” he added.

A source in Ukraine’s Presidential Office declined to comment on whether any Russian officials might still attend, writes The Kyiv Independent.

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