The conditions for achieving peace proposed by Moscow during talks in Istanbul are unacceptable "ultimatums", Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said today, calling for a meeting with his US counterpart Donald Trump.
Zelensky said that continuing the talks between Russia and Ukraine in Istanbul in the current composition, with the current delegations, would be "pointless."
The Ukrainian president said this after two unsuccessful rounds of direct peace negotiations.
During a second bilateral meeting on Monday mediated by Turkey, the Russian delegation presented the Ukrainians with a list of Moscow's demands, including the withdrawal of Ukrainian forces from Ukrainian regions annexed by Moscow, preventing Ukraine from joining NATO and limiting the size of its army.
"This is an ultimatum given to us by the Russian side," Zelensky said at a press conference.
He called for a ceasefire before talks, and requested a summit with Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
"We are ready for such a meeting at any time," Zelensky said, also mentioning the possible presence of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who on Monday proposed that the presidents of Russia, the United States and Ukraine meet in Turkey.
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