Zelensky offers to meet Putin after Trump demands Ukraine hold direct talks with Russia

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed his readiness to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in Istanbul for peace talks, following Donald Trump’s call for immediate negotiations. Zelensky emphasized the need for a ceasefire before discussions, while Western leaders advocated for a 30-day pause in fighting. Putin, in turn, invited Ukraine to engage in serious negotiations, but stated that a ceasefire would require the West to halt military aid to Ukraine, marking a potential turning point in the ongoing conflict.