In a significant shift in his stance, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has invited Russia to participate in a peace summit without requiring Moscow to relinquish control of occupied Ukrainian territories. This move marks a departure from his previous insistence that any negotiations with Russia must be predicated on the return of all Ukrainian land seized since the invasion began in February 2022. Zelenskyy’s reversal comes amid growing international pressure to find a diplomatic solution to the conflict. While the Ukrainian military has recently made significant gains in counteroffensives, it remains unclear whether Kyiv has the resources to retake all occupied territories through military means. The summit, proposed by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, is expected to be held in Istanbul. Zelenskyy has said that he would attend only if Russia agrees to withdraw its forces from Ukraine. However, Russia has so far rejected the proposal, insisting that it will not participate in any negotiations that do not recognize its annexation of four Ukrainian regions. Analysts say that Zelenskyy’s invitation to Russia is a sign of his willingness to explore all diplomatic options to end the war. However, it remains to be seen whether Russia is ready to engage in talks on terms that would be acceptable to Ukraine. The conflict has caused widespread devastation in Ukraine, displacing millions of people and destroying countless homes and businesses. Both sides have suffered heavy casualties, and there are fears that the war could escalate into a wider conflict involving other countries.Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has reversed his previous stance and invited Russia to attend a peace summit, despite his earlier insistence that Russia must withdraw from all occupied Ukrainian territory before negotiations could begin. The shift in Zelenskyy’s position comes after months of intense pressure from Western allies, particularly the United States, to engage in peace talks with Russia. The Biden administration has argued that a negotiated settlement is the only realistic way to end the war, which has caused immense human suffering and economic damage. In a statement released by his office, Zelenskyy said that he was willing to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin in any format, including a peace summit, but emphasized that Ukraine’s territorial integrity was “non-negotiable.” “We are ready for negotiations, but we will not give up our land,” Zelenskyy said. “Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity must be fully restored.” Russia has not yet responded to Zelenskyy’s invitation, but Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that Moscow remains open to dialogue. However, he reiterated Russia’s position that Crimea, which was annexed by Russia in 2014, is part of Russia and that the four Ukrainian regions that Russia illegally annexed in September are also Russian territory. Analysts say that the prospects for a negotiated settlement remain uncertain. Russia has shown no signs of being willing to withdraw from any of the Ukrainian territory it controls, and Ukraine is unlikely to accept any peace deal that does not restore its full sovereignty.