Istanbul: Istanbul is preparing to host Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to resume their direct talks for the first time since 2022. They will return to the negotiating table next Thursday to complete the process that was closest to achieving peace.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, Istanbul played a significant role in March 2022 by hosting several rounds of talks between Russian and Ukrainian delegations to reach an agreement to end the ongoing war. The city later witnessed the signing of a crucial agreement in July 2022, brokered by Turkey and the United Nations, to ship Ukrainian grain across the Black Sea. This deal aimed to alleviate the global food crisis exacerbated by the conflict. However, the agreement saw its final extension before Moscow suspended it on July 17, 2023.

During a press conference in Moscow last Saturday, President Putin proposed resuming direct talks with Ukraine without preconditions, suggesting Istanbul as the venue for these negotiations. He revealed plans to discuss this with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to arrange the event. Despite setbacks, including Kyiv’s rejection of ceasefire proposals, Putin emphasized the importance of resuming the suspended talks from 2022.

Putin highlighted Turkey’s offers to facilitate negotiations and acknowledged Turkish President Erdogan’s efforts in organizing the upcoming talks. He mentioned a draft document from the 2022 negotiations that Kyiv had initially approved but later dismissed due to Western influence.

In a notable development, US President Donald Trump expressed support for Putin’s proposal, calling it a potential turning point for peace. Trump, in a social media post, underscored the significance of ending the conflict, noting that it would save countless lives and improve global conditions.

Following a phone conversation between Erdogan and Putin on Sunday, Erdogan confirmed Turkey’s readiness to host the talks, aiming for a permanent solution. He emphasized the opportunity for peace and the importance of a comprehensive ceasefire to facilitate negotiations.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky also expressed optimism, announcing his expectation for a complete and permanent ceasefire starting Monday. In a statement on his Telegram channel, Zelensky reiterated his readiness to engage in diplomacy and awaited Putin’s presence in Turkey on Thursday.