Zelensky's Visit to Türkiye Seeks to 'Re-engage' US in Peace Efforts

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky is set to visit Türkiye on Wednesday in an effort to re-engage the United States in diplomatic efforts to resolve the Russian invasion.

Zelensky said he wanted to reinvigorate frozen peace talks, which have faltered after several rounds of Russia-Ukraine talks in Istanbul this year failed to yield a breakthrough. Moscow has not agreed to a ceasefire and instead kept advancing on the front and bombarding Ukrainian cities, The Caspian Post reports citing Turkish media.

Zelensky will meet President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in Ankara on Wednesday, he told reporters at a press conference in Madrid on Tuesday.

"We will primarily discuss the best ways to ensure Ukraine achieves a just peace," he said.

A senior Ukrainian official told AFP the "main goal is for the Americans to re-engage" in peace efforts.

Kiev is hoping Washington will be able to push Russia to the negotiating table, including by imposing sanctions, the official said.

Steve Witkoff, the U.S. envoy, is expected to join talks with Zelensky in Türkiye, another Ukrainian official, involved in the meeting's preparation, told AFP.

The Kremlin said that no Russian official will be present at talks in Türkiye on Wednesday, adding that it remains open to talks to resolve the war in Ukraine.

American lawmakers are working on a bill to strengthen sanctions against Russia by potentially imposing tariffs on all countries buying its oil and gas.

President Donald Trump said on Sunday the legislation was "okay with me."