President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky in a statement affirmed he is ready to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin “personally” in Istanbul on Thursday for talks over ending the war.

“There is no point in prolonging the killings. And I will be waiting for Putin in Türkiye on Thursday. Personally,” part of his statement in a post on X read.

This came shortly after Donald Trump demanded Ukraine agree to Putin’s offer of direct talks between the two countries in Turkey.

He had earlier said his country was open to talks with Russia but only after a ceasefire was in place.

According to Zelenskyy: “Starting tomorrow, we await a ceasefire — this proposal is on the table. A full and unconditional ceasefire, one that lasts long enough to provide a necessary foundation for diplomacy, could significantly bring peace closer.

“Ukraine has long proposed this, our partners are proposing it, and the whole world is calling for it. We await a clear response from Russia.

“Russia will have to end this war anyway. The killings must stop. Ukrainian forces will be ready to respond symmetrically— to ensure fairness.

“We have repeatedly heard from our partners that they are prepared to strengthen sanctions against Russia if Putin rejects a ceasefire. Time will tell.

“Here in Ukraine, we have absolutely no problem engaging in negotiations, we are ready for any format. I will be in Türkiye this Thursday, May 15, and I expect Putin to come to Türkiye as well. Personally.

“And I hope that this time, Putin won’t be looking for excuses as to why he “can’t” make it.

“We are ready to talk, to end this war. Thursday. Türkiye. President Trump has expressed support. All the leaders support this.” Ukrainian president added.

Western powers called for a 30-day pause in fighting to begin on Monday after European leaders spearheading the so-called “coalition of the willing” met in Kyiv on Saturday.

Putin’s offer of direct talks followed that intervention.

On Sunday Trump then posted on social media that Ukraine should agree to this “immediately” and it would provide clarity on whether there was a way to end the war.

“At least they will be able to determine whether or not a deal is possible, and if it is not, European leaders, and the US, will know where everything stands, and can proceed accordingly” he said, adding: “Have the meeting, now!”

On Saturday, the Ukrainian president played host in Kyiv to UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, France’s Emmanuel Macron, Germany’s Friedrich Merz and Poland’s Donald Tusk, who later called Trump to discuss their plan.

Sir Keir later told the BBC the US president was “absolutely clear” that their suggestion of an immediate ceasefire was a “demand that must be met”.