Ukrainian President Zelenskyy is prepared to meet Putin in Turkey on Thursday regardless of whether Putin attends, emphasizing his commitment to achieving a ceasefire amid substantial international pressure.

The Kremlin has not confirmed Putin's participation in the talks, leaving uncertainty about the level of engagement from the Russian side, while Zelenskyy insists that discussions must be prioritized to ensure a lasting solution and a possible ceasefire.

Zelenskyy's position that a ceasefire must precede negotiations highlights the persistent obstacles to peace, yet he remains hopeful that high-stakes talks could lead to significant breakthroughs given recent diplomatic pressures from Europe and the U.S.

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has stated he will press Putin to attend peace negotiations with Zelenskyy in Turkey, indicating an international push for dialogue that may affect negotiations.

Trump has publicly urged for an immediate ceasefire agreement. His stance emphasizes that such a compromise could clarify the possibility of a deal without delaying talks any further.

The Kremlin has indicated that it will only meet with Ukraine if there are no preconditions, viewing the ceasefire as both a request and a strategic opportunity for Ukraine to regroup.