Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is received by Spain’s King Felipe VI during a meeting in Madrid, Spain, Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced on Tuesday that he will travel to Turkey this week. His goal is simple but urgent — to revive negotiations aimed at ending Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, now approaching its fourth year.
The Kremlin quickly declared that Russia will not attend any talks in Turkey. It also remains unclear whether the United States will join the proposed discussions. Still, Zelenskyy said he intends to meet Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to seek what he called “a just peace for Ukraine.”
A Fresh Attempt to Restart Peace Talks
Zelenskyy’s visit comes as Ukraine’s military confirmed new strikes inside Russia using U.S.-supplied ATACMS missiles. Kyiv argues that long-range weapons are essential to defend cities and power stations.
Moscow has responded sharply. The Kremlin warned that Ukrainian attacks using American weapons could heighten tensions with Washington.
Confusion grew further when a senior Turkish official first said U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff would join Zelenskyy in Turkey — then later reversed the claim. Zelenskyy noted that the U.S. had sent “signals,” but he would not confirm participation.
American officials told the media they were unaware of any travel plans for Witkoff, calling the matter uncertain.
The talks, Turkey later clarified, will be held in Ankara and will focus on establishing a ceasefire, rebuilding trust, and exploring a long-term settlement.
Turkey’s Renewed Mediation Role
Turkey previously hosted low-level discussions between Russia and Ukraine. While those meetings produced some progress on prisoner exchanges, they failed to create a path toward a wider agreement.
International efforts, many led by the United States and European allies, have also struggled to gain momentum.
But Ankara hopes that renewed dialogue may reopen diplomatic channels, even as global pressure on Russia increases.
U.S. Sanctions Put New Pressure on Putin
The push for negotiations comes days before heavy U.S. sanctions on Russia’s oil sector take effect. President Donald Trump has publicly expressed frustration with Vladimir Putin’s refusal to compromise.
The sanctions target major oil giants Rosneft and Lukoil, aiming to cut funding for Russia’s military operations. Washington hopes these measures will force Moscow to reconsider its hardline stance.
The restrictions also include secondary penalties, raising the risk for nations that continue importing Russian oil. This puts pressure on countries like India and China, two of Russia’s key energy buyers.
Despite this, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov insisted Russia remains “ready to negotiate,” although no Russian representative will attend Wednesday’s meeting in Turkey.
Ukraine Steps Up Attacks in Occupied Donetsk
On the battlefield, Ukraine launched a surprise aerial strike on Russian-occupied Donetsk, targeting key energy infrastructure.
Russian-installed official Denis Pushilin said two thermal power stations were hit, causing widespread blackouts. Earlier, he reported that Ukrainian drones had knocked out electricity for nearly 500,000 consumers.
Ukraine’s Unmanned Systems Forces shared footage they said showed the strikes. Kyiv’s forces remain vastly outnumbered but continue pushing to prevent further Russian advances.
In Kharkiv, a Russian missile killed a 17-year-old girl and injured 10 others. In Dnipro, Russian drones caused multiple fires and damaged homes and media offices.
A Corruption Scandal Shadows Zelenskyy at Home
While fighting escalates on the front lines, Zelenskyy is under pressure in Kyiv over a $100 million corruption scandal involving the state nuclear power company. Two Cabinet members resigned last week, sparking public anger and political tension.
Former president Petro Poroshenko demanded the dismissal of the entire government and led a parliamentary blockade on Tuesday. His party displayed placards denouncing corruption, halting legislative work.
Zelenskyy has pledged reforms but continues to face criticism over recurring graft scandals. He said he will meet senior officials and parliamentary leaders on Thursday to address the growing crisis.
A Critical Moment for Ukraine-Turkey Peace Efforts
With war intensifying and sanctions about to hit Russia’s economy, Zelenskyy’s visit to Turkey marks a pivotal attempt to revive peace efforts.
Whether the talks gain traction remains uncertain — especially with Russia absent — but Ukraine hopes that Turkey’s mediation can break the long diplomatic stalemate.
