Ankara: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy arrived in Ankara on Wednesday for talks with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, marking a renewed attempt to revive stalled efforts to end the war with Russia. The visit comes as reports suggest the United States is quietly pushing a fresh peace proposal that could involve major compromises from Kyiv.
During the meeting, both leaders discussed ways to restart negotiations that have been frozen since the last round of talks held in Istanbul in July.
Turkey has positioned itself as one of the few countries able to maintain communication with both sides, and Ankara is hoping to re activate the earlier negotiation format known as the Istanbul process.
Zelenskiy’s trip comes at a difficult moment for Ukraine. The country continues to face heavy Russian attacks, including a recent strike on the city of Ternopil that killed at least twenty five people. International pressure is also increasing as the conflict shows no sign of easing.
According to sources familiar with discussions in Washington, the United States has drafted a new peace framework containing twenty eight points. The plan reportedly suggests that Ukraine may have to give up some territory and reduce parts of its armed forces in exchange for long term security guarantees. Kyiv has not yet formally responded, and officials have not publicly commented on the reported terms.
The Kremlin, meanwhile, has downplayed talk of new peace efforts.
Russian officials said there were no developments beyond the last summit between President Vladimir Putin and President Donald J Trump, and they insisted that Moscow’s conditions remain unchanged. These include Ukraine dropping its goal of joining NATO and recognising Russian control over occupied regions.
Russia also confirmed that it will not take part in any sessions in Turkey this week, making an immediate breakthrough unlikely.
Despite the challenges, Turkey says it remains committed to its role as mediator. Erdogan has repeatedly expressed hope that both sides can return to direct dialogue, especially on issues like prisoner exchanges and humanitarian corridors.
Political analysts note that although diplomatic activity is increasing, real progress will depend on both sides agreeing to sit at the same table. For now, Ukraine is seeking stronger international support while Russia appears confident in its battlefield position.
Zelenskiy’s visit signals that Ukraine is willing to explore possible paths toward peace, even as the war continues to intensify. Whether these attempts can lead to meaningful negotiations will become clearer in the coming weeks as international pressure continues to build.