Zelensky Intensifies Peace Talks in Ankara with Trump Envoy Amidst War & Domestic Scandals

Zelensky Heads to Ankara for Crucial Peace Talks with Trump Envoy

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is set to hold crucial discussions in Ankara, Turkey, with US special envoy Steve Witkoff and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Zelensky's primary objective is to significantly escalate efforts towards a peaceful resolution of the ongoing conflict and to resume vital prisoner exchanges with Russia.

Turkey's Role and Russia's Stance

Turkey, maintaining diplomatic channels with both Kyiv and Moscow, has previously served as a host for negotiations between the warring parties. However, a Russian representative will notably be absent from this particular meeting in Ankara. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirmed there were no immediate plans for President Vladimir Putin to engage with either the Turkish side or Witkoff, though he stated Putin remains 'of course open to a conversation.'

Zelensky's Diplomatic Marathon

This visit marks Ankara as the fourth capital Zelensky has travelled to within a matter of days, highlighting a vigorous diplomatic offensive. His recent itinerary included securing a gas deal in Athens, signing an agreement for up to 100 French-made fighter jets in Paris, and discussing cooperation with Spanish arms manufacturers in Madrid. These engagements underscore Ukraine's urgent mission to bolster European support as Russian aggression escalates, with Moscow's forces closing in on the strategic eastern city of Pokrovsk.

Domestic Challenges Amidst War

Domestically, Zelensky grapples with his most severe political crisis in years. Several individuals within his inner circle are under investigation for alleged involvement in a major criminal scheme, and two ministers have already resigned. This widening scandal has drawn concern from some EU leaders, who are poised to decide in December on a €140 billion (£121bn) loan for Kyiv, contingent on Ukraine's commitment to tackling corruption.

Obstacles to a Peace Deal

As the fourth anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion approaches in February 2022, Kyiv and Moscow remain fundamentally at odds regarding terms for ending the war. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov recently reiterated Moscow's conditions, first outlined by Putin in 2024, which include Kyiv renouncing NATO ambitions and a full withdrawal from the Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson regions. Zelensky consistently argues that withdrawing from the Donbas (Donetsk and Luhansk) would leave the remainder of Ukraine exposed to future attacks.

US Engagement and Stalled Efforts

Earlier this year, Witkoff's suggestion that a peace deal might hinge on the status of contested Ukrainian regions and Crimea (illegally annexed by Russia in 2014) caused tension with Zelensky, who accused the envoy of 'disseminating Russian narratives.' The two have not met since early September.

Despite a flurry of high-level meetings last summer, including between Trump and Putin, American-led efforts to secure a ceasefire have largely stalled. A planned summit between Trump and Putin in Budapest was reportedly canceled due to Moscow's unwillingness to compromise on demands unacceptable to Kyiv. Nevertheless, covert contact between US and Russian officials persists, with Putin's special envoy Kirill Dmitriev reportedly meeting Witkoff in Washington recently, just days after new US sanctions targeted Russia's major oil companies. Ukraine continues its valiant fight to endure another harsh winter amidst intensified Russian attacks.