President Volodymyr Zelensky's meeting with his Turkish counterpart, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, began in Ankara on May 15, Turkey's state news agency Anadolu reported.

Zelensky accused the Russian side of not taking the talks seriously, and that he did not see decision-makers among their delegation, despite direct negotiations taking place at the urging of Moscow. He had earlier described the Russian delegation as "theatrical."

The chief of staff of the Ukrainian presidency asserts, in an interview with Le Monde, that Volodymyr Zelensky is ready to negotiate with Russia, alongside the US and Europe, but demands a complete and unconditional ceasefire beforehand.

As he heads to Turkey for negotiations, Zelensky is betting that Trump will soon realize that Russia does not want to make peace.