The official told reporters on Wednesday that Zelensky will not meet with anyone else in Istanbul, except Putin, and refuses direct contact with any other Russian representative.

US President Donald Trump earlier demanded the immediate start of direct negotiations between Russia and Ukraine, threatening to withdraw Washington from the negotiation process.

After that, Zelensky announced his willingness to hold talks with President Putin.

The Russian Foreign Ministry commented that Zelensky’s words about meeting with Putin in Istanbul are meaningless.

It recalled that the head of the Kremlin proposed to start direct talks with Ukraine on May 15 without preconditions.

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