Kyiv: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced plans to engage Turkey, Arabian Gulf countries, and European nations as potential hosts for talks with Russia. This initiative aims to bring an end to the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, Zelenskyy conveyed this plan through a message on Telegram, where he detailed discussions with British military officials concerning the war. He stated, “This week we will be in touch with Turkey, the Gulf states, and European countries, which could be platforms for talks with Russia. From our side, everything will be ready to end this war.”

Zelenskyy stressed the necessity for international leaders, particularly the President of the United States, to apply pressure on Russia to foster peace negotiations. He noted that Russia’s current stance is to evade genuine discussions, which he believes can be altered through sanctions, tariffs, and rigorous pressure.

Earlier, on August 21, Zelenskyy indicated that a prospective meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin might occur in Turkey, Switzerland, or Austria. This announcement followed a meeting on August 18 at the White House, which included key figures like US President Donald Trump, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Finnish President Alexander Lukashenko, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.

The White House meeting succeeded a prior summit between Trump and the Russian president on August 15 in Alaska, USA, focusing on potential ceasefire strategies and bilateral relations between Russia and Ukraine. Post discussions with European leaders, Trump expressed satisfaction with the meeting outcomes and hinted at preparations for a trilateral summit involving Russia and Ukraine.