Volodymyr Zelensky, President of Ukraine, is scheduled to meet with US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara. The meeting, set for Wednesday, follows Zelensky's stated aim to "intensify" peace negotiations, emphasizing that bringing an end to the conflict is Ukraine's primary objective. Efforts will also concentrate on resuming prisoner exchanges.
No Russian representative is expected to participate in the Ankara meeting, according to Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov. Peskov noted that while there are "no concrete plans" for Russian President Vladimir Putin to communicate with either the Turkish side or Witkoff in the immediate context of this meeting, Putin remains "open to a conversation." Turkey has maintained diplomatic relations with both Kyiv and Moscow and has previously facilitated discussions between the two parties.
Recent Diplomatic Engagements
Ankara represents the fourth capital Zelensky has visited within a few days. During his visit to Athens, a gas agreement was secured. In Paris, a deal was signed with France concerning the acquisition of up to 100 fighter jets. In Madrid, talks focused on cooperation with Spanish arms manufacturers. These visits are part of Ukraine's ongoing efforts to secure European support amidst intensifying Russian military operations, including advances toward the eastern city of Pokrovsk.
Domestic Challenges and International Aid
Domestically, Zelensky's administration is addressing internal challenges. Several individuals within his close circle are reportedly under investigation for their alleged involvement in a large-scale criminal scheme, leading to the resignations of two ministers. The situation is being observed by some EU leaders, who are expected to decide in December whether to approve a "140 billion loan for Kyiv, conditional on demonstrable anti-corruption measures.
Stalled Peace Prospects
As the fourth anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022 approaches, fundamental disagreements persist between Moscow and Kyiv regarding the terms for ending the conflict. In November, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov reiterated Russia's peace conditions, which include Ukraine renouncing any ambition to join NATO and a complete Ukrainian withdrawal from the Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson regions. Zelensky has consistently argued that withdrawing from Donetsk and Luhansk would compromise the security of other parts of the country.
Previous discussions involving US Special Envoy Witkoff have highlighted the status of contested Ukrainian regions and Crimea, which Russia annexed in 2014, as central to any peace agreement. Witkoff's previous stance on these issues reportedly caused tension with Zelensky, who accused him of "disseminating Russian narratives." Zelensky and Witkoff have not met since early September. While high-level talks occurred during the summer, American efforts to broker a ceasefire have experienced a slowdown. A proposed summit between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin in Budapest was reportedly canceled due to Russia's unwillingness to modify certain demands unacceptable to Kyiv. Despite this, contact between US and Russian officials has continued, including a reported meeting between Putin's special envoy Kirill Dmitriev and Witkoff in Washington in late October.