The President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, announced a scheduled meeting with the Turkish president in Ankara on Thursday. However, should Vladimir Putin decide to visit Istanbul, he and President Erdogan will travel to meet him.

Zelensky shared this information with reporters on Tuesday, as reported by "European Truth".

He indicated that on May 15, he intends to meet with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara, which has already been agreed upon.

"We are looking forward to the meeting with Putin in Turkey to avoid manipulations from Russia regarding the location of the negotiations. If Putin is willing to come to Istanbul, we will be ready to go there with President Erdogan", – Zelensky noted.

He also added that "everything will be done to ensure this meeting takes place", emphasizing that discussions on a ceasefire can only be held with Putin, as "he alone can decide on this matter".

Zelensky mentioned that U.S. President Donald Trump was invited to join the meeting, but his decision remains unknown.

"If he confirms his participation, it could provide additional impetus for Putin's arrival", – said the President.

U.S. President Donald Trump's special envoys, Steve Vitkoff and Keith Kellogg, will head to Istanbul, where negotiations between Ukraine and Russia may take place on Thursday.

Head of the President's Office Andriy Yermak stated that if Putin declines to come to Turkey, it will signal Russia's unwillingness to end the war.

At the same time, the Kremlin stated that the Russian side continues preparations for negotiations in Istanbul on May 15 and has not provided further comments.