US President Donald Trump is considering attending potential peace talks between Russia and Ukraine in Turkey on Thursday. Trump expressed openness to attending the talks, saying, “I think you may have a good result out of the Thursday meeting in Turkey between Russia and Ukraine.” He added, “I don’t know where I’m going to be on Thursday, I’ve got so many meetings, but I was thinking about actually flying over there. There’s a possibility of it, I guess, if I think things can happen.”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky welcomed Trump’s potential attendance, stating, “All of us in Ukraine would appreciate it if President Trump could be there with us at this meeting in Türkiye. This is the right idea. We can change a lot.” Zelensky also supported Trump’s call for direct talks between himself and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Background of the Talks
The potential talks come as the US ramps up pressure on Moscow and Kyiv to bring an end to the three-year conflict. Last weekend, Ukraine’s major European allies gave Russia an ultimatum: agree to an unconditional 30-day ceasefire in Ukraine or face “massive” new sanctions. Trump had supported the initiative, Germany’s new chancellor Friedrich Merz said.
Ceasefire and Sanctions
Trump had called for a 30-day unconditional ceasefire in Ukraine, warning, “If the ceasefire is not respected, the US and its partners will impose further sanctions.” However, in urging Zelensky to meet Putin, Trump dropped his demand for Russia to agree to a ceasefire, marking a dramatic change in approach.
Reactions from Russia and Ukraine
The Kremlin said Putin was serious about trying to find peace through talks, but the spokesperson couldn’t say more. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov spoke with his Turkish counterpart Hakan Fidan about Putin’s proposed talks with Ukraine, but there was no indication whether Putin would attend. Zelensky said Moscow had been “silent” regarding Putin’s proposal to meet, adding, “Ukraine always supports diplomacy. I am ready to be in Turkey. Unfortunately, the world still has not received a clear answer from Russia regarding numerous proposals for a ceasefire.”
Turkish Involvement
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan “fully supported” Putin’s proposal for peace talks and offered Istanbul as a venue. Erdogan said, “A new window of opportunity has opened with the recent contacts. We hope that this opportunity will not be wasted.” Zelensky confirmed that Erdogan “expressed full readiness to host the meeting”.