Zelensky insists he will only join Ukraine-Russia talks in Turkey this week if Putin is present

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he is only willing to meet directly with Vladimir Putin to end the war, rejecting talks with any other Russian officials. He plans to travel to Turkey on Thursday for potential peace talks, encouraged by U.S. President Trump, though it’s unclear if Putin will attend. The U.S. will send top officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, while Trump may join if he sees value in it, CNN has reported. Meanwhile, international pressure on Moscow is intensifying, with new EU sanctions targeting Russia’s oil exports and threats of further action if a ceasefire isn’t reached.