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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Monday expressed support for US President Donald Trump’s call for a full and unconditional ceasefire, saying he is prepared for direct talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin during a planned meeting in Istanbul.

“I supported President Trump with the idea of direct talks with Putin. I have openly expressed my readiness to meet. I will be in Türkiye. I hope that the Russians will not evade the meeting,” Zelenskyy said on X.

He also said Ukraine is ready to maintain “silence” on its side of the frontline in line with the ceasefire call.

“And of course, all of us in Ukraine would appreciate it if President (Donald) Trump could be there with us at this meeting in Türkiye. This is the right idea. We can change a lot,” he added, praising Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s role as likely host of the “highest-level meeting.”

Zelenskyy's remarks came after Trump told a press conference that "Thursday's meeting with Russia and Ukraine is very important," adding: "I was very insistent that the meeting take place."

He expressed optimism about the talks’ outcome, saying: "I think good things can come out of that meeting."

"Don't underestimate" Thursday's meeting, Trump urged, praising Erdogan as "a great host."

"I was thinking about flying over" for the meeting, he said, adding that he might travel to Türkiye "if I think things can happen."

Decrying the “vicious” human cost of the ongoing conflict, he described it as "a whole new form of warfare.”