Zelensky Heads to Turkey to Launch New Diplomatic Drive; Trump’s Envoy to Join

November 19 ------ President Volodymyr Zelensky has announced a series of key international meetings, including negotiations set to take place in Turkey where US President Donald Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, is reportedly also expected to arrive.

In a Telegram post, Zelensky said he is in Spain on Tuesday for talks with Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez. He noted that Ukraine expects new agreements that will boost its defense capabilities and better protect civilians. “Every day in relations with partners, there must be a result for Ukraine,” Zelensky wrote. The president added that Wednesday’s meetings in Turkey will focus on intensifying diplomatic efforts and presenting a set of proposals Ukraine has prepared for its partners.

According to Zelensky, securing the return of Ukrainian prisoners remains a top priority. “We are preparing to intensify the negotiations, and we have worked out solutions that we will offer to our partners. Making every effort to bring the end of the war closer is Ukraine’s first priority,” he said. “We are also working to resume exchanges and the return of prisoners,” he added.

Guy Faulconbridge, Reuters’ Moscow-based Bureau Chief for Russia and the CIS, wrote on X that Zelensky will meet with Witkoff in Turkey: “US special envoy Witkoff to visit Turkey on Wednesday, will join talks with Zelensky, Turkish source says.”

Ukraine and Russia held three rounds of talks in Istanbul in May, June, and July 2025. During the meetings, the Ukrainian delegation reiterated its readiness for an immediate ceasefire and laid out its core conditions: a full halt to hostilities, a “silence regime” along the entire front line, and an end to attacks on civilian infrastructure. Moscow, however, refused to agree to a ceasefire.

After the second round, Russia handed Kyiv a so-called “memorandum” containing several ultimatums - including the withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from four regions, an end to Western military aid, the termination of mobilization and martial law, the holding of elections, and a halt to what Moscow called “subversive activity” against Russia.

Source: kyivpost.com