Zelenskyy on talks in Istanbul: Issues of ceasefire, return of abducted children important

14:41, 02.06.2025 1 min read

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy is not sure that the Russians will be ready for a productive meeting in Istanbul, but for Ukraine the issue of a ceasefire and the return of children abducted by Russia is important.

"Our team is currently in Istanbul at this hour. I spoke with my Defense Minister early in the morning - so they are preparing for the meeting. I am not sure that the Russians will be ready for productive meetings, but we always have to count on certain decisions," Zelenskyy said during a doorstep at the Bucharest Nine and Nordic Summit.

"For us, an unconditional ceasefire is very important, as well as humanitarian issues regarding the return of the abducted children...and to do everything for the other prisoners, civilian prisoners and journalists, political prisoners," the president added.

He stressed the importance of returning them all home.