What russians are going to Istanbul with is unclear, it doesn't look very serious – President Zelenskyy

Ukraine, together with partners in Europe and the United States, is preparing new diplomatic steps aimed at achieving a just peace. However, despite talk of a possible meeting in Istanbul, as of now there is no clear information about what proposals or intentions the russian delegation is going there with, which raises doubts about the seriousness of moscow's approach.

The President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy has stated this.

The President noted that Ukraine is in contact with everyone who can "make diplomacy not empty" and is preparing new meetings. However, commenting on the prospects for negotiations with Russia, in particular in Istanbul, he expressed restrained skepticism.

"At the moment, there is no clear information about what the Russians are going to Istanbul with. We don't have it, Turkey doesn't have it, the United States doesn't have it, and other partners don't either. And so far, it doesn't look very serious," Volodymyr Zelenskyy stressed.

He said that this issue was discussed the day before with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The President of Ukraine emphasized that everyone in the world wants diplomacy to work and for there to be a real ceasefire.

"Everyone wants Russia to stop playing with diplomacy and end the war. Everyone wants serious peace, and Russia must go for it. This is exactly what the agenda of the meetings should be. We have given our agenda," Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.

According to the Ukrainian leader, the key element for achieving peace remains pressure on the aggressor.

"We hope that the American side will be decisive in the issue of sanctions to help peace," he added.