2025-05-13T03:52:17Z

---

Former President Donald Trump has indicated he is contemplating attending a significant meeting in Turkey on Thursday, which aims to facilitate peace talks between the leaders of Ukraine and Russia. This announcement comes against the backdrop of ongoing tensions and conflict in the region, where both nations have been embroiled in a war that has drawn international concern and condemnation.

Mr. Trump, who has previously stated that he could resolve the conflict in a single day, has voiced his desire for both Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin to come together to end the hostilities. On Sunday, President Zelenskyy extended an invitation to President Putin to meet in Istanbul on Thursday, although the Kremlin has yet to provide a response to this proposal.

In comments made late on Monday, Trump expressed uncertainty about his travel plans: "I was thinking about flying over. I don't know where I am going to be on Thursday. I've got so many meetings. There's a possibility there I guess, if I think things can happen." This potential trip marks Trump’s first major foreign engagement since the beginning of his second administration, as he has embarked on a tour of the Middle East, which includes visits to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates.

President Zelenskyy has shown support for Trump’s involvement in the upcoming talks, stating, "I supported President Trump with the idea of direct talks with Putin. I have openly expressed my readiness to meet. And of course, all of us in Ukraine would appreciate it if President Trump could be there with us at this meeting in Turkey." The dynamic of Trump possibly joining the talks adds another layer of complexity to an already intricate diplomatic scenario.

However, the Kremlin's intentions remain uncertain. Dmitry Peskov, spokesperson for President Putin, refrained from indicating whether any Russian officials would be traveling to Turkey. He remarked, "Overall, we're determined to seriously look for ways to achieve a long-term peaceful settlement. That is all." This statement followed the recent establishment of a “coalition of the willing,” which includes notable figures such as Sir Keir Starmer, who have threatened Russia with new sanctions if it does not adhere to an unconditional 30-day ceasefire that began on Monday.

Despite these developments, Russia has effectively rejected the ceasefire proposal and instead reiterated the need for direct negotiations with Ukraine, challenging President Zelenskyy to call for Putin’s attendance. Nonetheless, skepticism prevails among Ukraine's allies regarding Russia's genuine desire for peace, as many observers question whether President Putin is truly committed to ending the conflict.

European Union Commission Vice President Kaja Kallas weighed in on the situation by stating, "We want to see that Russia also wants peace. It takes two to want peace, it takes only one to want war, and we see that Russia clearly wants war." Meanwhile, the conflict in Ukraine shows no signs of abating, with reports indicating that overnight into Tuesday, Russian forces launched more than 100 drones targeting Ukrainian positions.