Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is traveling to Turkey for a new attempt to restart negotiations aimed at ending the war with Russia, marking the first major diplomatic effort toward direct talks in months. The meeting, scheduled to take place in Ankara, follows a series of visits by Zelensky to European capitals as Kyiv works to strengthen international backing ahead of the fourth year of the conflict.

According to Ukrainian officials, the discussions in Turkey will focus on presenting a set of proposals Kyiv has prepared in recent weeks. Zelensky has stated that Ukraine’s priority is to do “everything possible to bring the end of the war closer,” a message he has repeated during stops in Spain and France, both of which included defense-related agreements.

The trip is part of a broader diplomatic push as Ukraine confronts heavy Russian attacks on multiple fronts, including intensified strikes on power infrastructure and ongoing fighting in eastern Donetsk. The Kremlin has confirmed it will not participate in the Ankara talks.

Scope and purpose of the Ankara meeting

Zelensky plans to meet with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who has maintained communication with both Kyiv and Moscow throughout the war and previously hosted negotiation rounds in Istanbul. Turkish officials say discussions will center on how to establish the conditions for a ceasefire and explore what both sides describe as a path toward a “just and lasting peace.”

Ukraine’s goals for the meeting include reviving stalled exchanges of prisoners of war, presenting new security proposals, and clarifying steps required from international partners to support future negotiation rounds. Zelensky has emphasized that returning Ukrainian prisoners remains one of his top priorities, and officials say more than 2,500 Ukrainians remain in Russian custody.

The United States may be represented indirectly through special envoy Steve Witkoff, though Turkish and American officials have issued mixed statements about his participation. Reports from Turkish and Ukrainian sources initially suggested he would join the Ankara session, but later comments indicated his attendance was uncertain. Witkoff has been engaged in parallel discussions with both sides throughout the year.

While no Russian delegation will be present, Moscow has stated it will monitor the outcome of the meeting. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Russia had received no information about the agenda and reiterated Moscow’s position that it remains open to dialogue, though only under conditions it has set out previously.

Background on stalled negotiations

Formal peace talks between Russia and Ukraine have been suspended since July, when the last in-person meeting occurred in Istanbul. That round produced limited progress, primarily focused on prisoner exchanges and repatriation of remains. No movement occurred toward a ceasefire or broader settlement.

Over the past year, efforts led by Washington, Ankara, and other intermediaries have failed to bring the parties closer to a halt in fighting. U.S.-led attempts earlier in the year stalled as Moscow repeatedly rejected ceasefire proposals and maintained demands that Kyiv considers unacceptable, including Ukrainian withdrawal from the Donbas and parts of the south.

Previous rounds of talks in Istanbul during the spring and summer also produced a Russian “memorandum” outlining its terms for ending the war, including conditions related to Western military support and political steps inside Ukraine. Kyiv says it will not negotiate under terms that violate sovereignty or require the cession of territory.

Ukrainian officials have maintained that any ceasefire must be based on current front-line positions, while Russia has insisted that Ukraine withdraw from the Donetsk and Luhansk regions in full. These divergent positions remain the largest barrier to progress.

Regional dynamics and diplomatic considerations

Turkey continues to position itself as a mediator capable of hosting talks acceptable to both parties. Ankara previously facilitated several rounds of negotiations that led to limited agreements, and officials inside the Turkish government say they hope renewed contact will help break the current diplomatic impasse. No Turkish official has suggested that Russia will join soon, but Ankara’s leadership has signaled it will relay outcomes to Moscow.

The meeting comes after Zelensky’s rapid tour of European allies, including France, Spain, and Greece. In Paris, Ukraine signed a letter of intent to purchase up to 100 Rafale fighter jets over the next decade, a significant procurement aimed at strengthening air defenses. In Spain, Kyiv discussed both military and energy agreements intended to prepare Ukraine for the winter months.

Russian officials have dismissed the significance of these agreements, saying additional Western weapons will not change conditions on the front lines. They have also criticized European states for expanding support to Ukraine during a period when Russia faces new sanctions on its oil industry, set to take effect later in the week.

Across Ukraine, Russian drone and missile attacks have continued to target cities, energy infrastructure, and civilian areas. Ukrainian officials have reported strikes on Donetsk, Kharkiv, and Dnipro in recent days, with several casualties and damage to energy facilities. These developments form part of the context for Zelensky’s renewed push for international backing and more active participation from partners.

Outlook for the Ankara discussions

Ukrainian officials describe the Ankara meeting as another step in a broader effort to bring partners into closer coordination on peace terms. They stress that the session is not expected to produce a breakthrough but to establish a framework for future talks. Kyiv also hopes to secure commitments from Turkey, the United States, and European governments regarding their roles in potential follow-on negotiations.

Russia has indicated it will review the results of the meeting once provided by Turkish officials. Moscow says it is prepared to discuss ceasefire terms only if Kyiv accepts Russia’s longstanding demands, which Ukraine rejects. This leaves significant uncertainty about whether any proposal developed in Turkey could lead to renewed contact between the two sides.

For now, Zelensky is focused on presenting Ukraine’s position directly to partners and maintaining diplomatic momentum. His government has highlighted prisoner exchanges as a near-term goal, followed by wider talks that could address broader security guarantees. Turkish officials have said Ankara is willing to continue hosting discussions as long as both sides consider the channel useful.

As winter approaches and front-line fighting intensifies, the prospects for near-term progress remain unclear. Ukraine faces pressure to secure additional military and economic assistance, while Russia signals it will not alter its position on territorial demands. The Ankara meeting may offer a new diplomatic opening, but any lasting progress will depend on whether the parties can narrow significant differences that have blocked negotiations throughout the year.