Susanna Riva For over a year, the war between Ukraine and Russia has transformed the entire continent into a zone of constant tension. After numerous attempts at mediation at the delegate level, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has expressed the need to move to direct dialogue between heads of state, believing that only a meeting at the decision-making level can break the cycle of hostility.
According to the latest statements, Zelensky is willing to travel to Turkey for a possible meeting with Vladimir Putin . The goal is to leverage the influence of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan , who could act as a neutral guarantor and facilitate negotiations. Zelensky emphasized that a meeting in Turkey would signal Moscow's openness, without compromising Ukraine's position on key issues.
Meeting in Türkiye: Erdogan's mediation
Turkey's interest stems from its strategic role both as a neighbor and as an active diplomatic player in the conflict. Erdogan has repeatedly expressed his willingness to host talks, highlighting Ankara's ability to maintain channels of communication with both sides.
Zelensky, for his part, reiterated that his presence would be in his capacity as a decision-maker , that is, the one who holds the power to sign any agreements, thus excluding any form of delegation to low-ranking officials.
Kiev's priorities: ceasefire, checks and security
The Ukrainian president listed the key points he intends to bring to the negotiating table. Chief among these is the request for a ceasefire along the entire front line, accompanied by a monitoring mechanism capable of verifying compliance in real time. Furthermore, Zelensky called for concrete security guarantees for Ukraine, the reconstruction of the devastated areas, and an international commitment to prevent further aggression. However, he made it clear that he will not accept demands to cede Donbas or recognize Crimea as Russian territory, as such concessions would violate the Ukrainian Constitution.
Field verification mechanism
To make the ceasefire effective , Zelensky proposes the deployment of international observers, supported by satellite technology and independent monitoring units. The idea is to create a sensor network that transmits data in real time, allowing for a rapid response to any violations. This approach, inspired by previous experiences in similar conflicts, aims to minimize operational ambiguity and build mutual trust between the parties.
The international context: Finland, Norway and the United States
In parallel with Kiev's proposals, Finnish and Norwegian authorities initiated a series of telephone conversations with the Russian leader, conveying two key messages: the need for a ceasefire and the availability of a face-to-face meeting between Zelensky and Putin. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha stated that these exchanges had opened a new diplomatic window, allowing Kiev to explore additional mediation channels outside the traditional sphere of Moscow or Belarus.
Negotiations in Abu Dhabi
Meanwhile, a trilateral meeting between the United States, Russia, and Ukraine is scheduled for Abu Dhabi in the first ten days of November. The technical delegations will address concrete issues such as prisoner exchanges, the repatriation of Ukrainian children, and the protection of energy infrastructure. Zelensky emphasized that, although these discussions are technical in nature, they constitute a springboard for possible leadership-level discussions, with the ultimate goal of turning the discussions into binding political agreements.
Zelensky's stance appears pragmatic but firm: he is willing to sit down with Putin, provided that Ukraine's principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity are respected. Ankara's position, the support of Helsinki and Oslo, and the American push for a diplomatic solution create a favorable environment, but Moscow's real willingness to yield on such sensitive issues remains uncertain. The future of the negotiations will depend on the parties' ability to translate words into concrete action, with Europe ready to play a decisive role in ensuring Ukraine's security and reconstruction.