U.S. and European officials persuaded President Volodymyr Zelensky to represent Ukraine at upcoming peace talks in Istanbul despite Russia's evasiveness about who it would send, the Washington Post (WP) reported on May 14,

Ukraine's President Zelensky has been brutally snubbed by Vladimir Putin after rumours swirled over face-to-face talks between the two. The Kremlin has tonight issued a statement confirming that the Russian despot will now be sending a delegate in his place to the peace talks in Istanbul, Turkey.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he is prepared to meet Vladimir Putin this week, shortly after US President Donald Trump urged him to “immediately” accept the Russian leader’s offer to hold peace talks in Turkey.

Moscow resumes drone attacks after Zelensky challenges Putin to meet for peace talks - Comes hours after Zelensky says he is ready to meet Putin ‘personally’ in Turkey this week for peace talks

Just as their forces are stalemated on the battlefield, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky are in a rhetorical standoff over preconditions for peace talks. Putin offered to begin talks Thursday in Istanbul under the auspices of Turkey with no preconditions,

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says he will be present in Turkey for direct negotiations with Russian President Vladimir Putin, telling CNN’s Nick Paton Walsh he expects new sanctions to be imposed on Russia if a 30-day unconditional ceasefire isn’t agreed upon.