Zelenskyy announces 'activation' of talks to end the war

Tengrinews.kz - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has stated that ending the war is Ukraine's top priority and announced preparations for the activation of negotiations, as he wrote on social media.

The Ukrainian leader shared the update as he prepared for a visit to Turkey.

"Tomorrow — meetings in Turkey. We are preparing to activate negotiations, and we have developed solutions that we will propose to our partners," Zelenskyy stated. "Bringing the war to an end with all our efforts is Ukraine's first priority. We are also working to restore prisoner exchanges and the return of captives."

Following his announcement, several media outlets, citing sources, reported that U.S. President Joe Biden's special envoy, Steve Witkoff, is also scheduled to arrive in Turkey on November 19 to meet with the Ukrainian President.

For Thursday, Zelenskyy instructed the preparation of a meeting for the Staff (Stavka), the highest military command body that coordinates troops, various service branches, and law enforcement agencies in Ukraine.

Additionally, the Ukrainian President has scheduled meetings with the leadership of the Verkhovna Rada (Parliament), deputies from the ruling "Servant of the People" party, and government officials.

"I am preparing several necessary legislative initiatives and fundamental rapid decisions that our state needs," he added.

The news follows statements made in late October by Russian Presidential Special Representative Kirill Dmitriev, who told journalists that Kyiv and Moscow were close to ending the conflict through diplomatic means.

The day before the announcement, it was reported that Ukraine and Russia had agreed on conducting a large-scale exchange of detainees.