While Putin never responded publicly to the ceasefire demand, a social media post from United States President Donald Trump, who has been pushing the two parties to agree a deal to end the war, said the Russian leader “doesn’t want” a ceasefire. He nonetheless demanded Zelenskyy accept the offer, and the Ukrainian leader was set to attend.
Trump was also set to join the talks — although only if Putin did as well — according to his special envoy Keith Kellogg.
Hundreds of thousands of soldiers have been killed in the war. Putin is wanted by the International Criminal Court for war crimes related to the conflict.
A delegation headed by Vladimir Medinsky, one of Putin’s aides, will still go to Istanbul for the negotiations, according to a Kremlin announcement.
