Zelenskiy to arrive in Istanbul on May 15

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy is expected to arrive in Istanbul on Thursday, even as Moscow rejected a proposed 30-day ceasefire, Axios reported, citing a source.

Zelenskiy earlier said he would personally wait for Russian President Vladimir Putin in Turkey on May 15. “We expect a full and lasting ceasefire to begin tomorrow. There’s no point in prolonging the killing. I hope the Russians won’t look for excuses not to come,” he wrote on social media.

The Kremlin said it would announce the head of Russia’s delegation if talks go ahead. President Putin said Moscow is ready for direct negotiations with Kyiv without preconditions, but blamed Ukraine for violating past ceasefire arrangements.

World leaders, including Donald Trump, have endorsed the proposed summit, though European and U.S. officials insist the ceasefire must begin immediately. They warned of further sanctions if Russia refuses.

Turkey’s ruling Justice and Development Party reaffirmed Istanbul’s role as a neutral venue for diplomacy. Party spokesperson Omer Celik said Turkey remains a trusted mediator, and President Tayyip Erdogan a central figure in peace-building efforts.

N.Tebrizli