Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky raised the stakes ahead of a potential meeting with Vladimir Putin in Turkey by saying he wouldn’t hold talks with any Russian representative other than the president himself.

Ukraine would like U.S. President Donald Trump to be present at a potential meeting between President Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin, Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha told journalists.

The president said he's optimistic about Thursday's expected talks between Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelensky in Istanbul.