Ukrainian president discusses Istanbul peace talks with EU leaders

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Friday held talks with the prime ministers of the Netherlands, Denmark, Bulgaria, and Sweden, as well as the president of Montenegro, following the conclusion of peace negotiations with Russia in Istanbul, and called for sustained international pressure to secure a full and unconditional ceasefire.

Zelenskyy said he briefed Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof on the talks and thanked the Netherlands for nearly tripling its defense aid to Ukraine this year.

“This contribution is crucial to protecting lives and advancing our path to peace,” he said.

Meeting Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, Zelenskyy emphasized Denmark's role in preparing the 26th military aid package and welcomed continued investments in Ukraine's defense industry.

“We share the view that pressure on Russia is essential if it refuses to agree to a ceasefire,” he said.

In discussions with Bulgarian Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov, Zelenskyy underlined the need for robust ceasefire guarantees and noted Bulgaria's role in energy cooperation and demining initiatives in the Black Sea.

“It is vital that we finish constructing the Khmelnytskyi NPP with Bulgaria's assistance,” he said.

He also spoke with Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson and discussed regional coordination, defense partnerships, and support for negotiations.

Zelenskyy praised a statement by Nordic and Baltic countries backing a 30-day ceasefire and high-level diplomacy with Russia.

He discussed the Istanbul peace talks with European Council President Antonio Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, as well as Kyiv's broader European integration efforts.

Zelenskyy wrote on X that he informed EU leaders on the phone about the current state of Turkish-hosted peace talks and emphasized the need to put more pressure on Russia if it rejects a full and unconditional ceasefire.

He expressed gratitude for the preparation of the EU's 17th sanctions package, which he said should target sectors that support Russia's war effort, such as banking, oil, energy, and metallurgy.

Additionally, Zelenskyy met Montenegrin President Jakov Milatovic to discuss strengthening bilateral cooperation and shared aspirations for EU membership.

“We agreed to work together to accelerate our EU path and increase joint efforts toward a just peace,” he said. “We must do everything possible to ensure this war ends justly, as needed by all those who value the international order.”

The trilateral peace meeting between delegations from Ukraine, Russia and Türkiye ended Friday in Istanbul, where Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan hosted the sit-down at the Dolmabahce Palace. The Ukrainian delegation was led by Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, while the Russian side was headed by presidential aide Vladimir Medinsky.

The Istanbul meeting, hosted by Türkiye as part of its ongoing mediation efforts, concluded after nearly two hours of closed-door discussions. The officials signaled openness to continued dialogue and agreed to swap 1,000 prisoners each, which is the largest number since the onset of the conflict between the two countries.