President Trump is contemplating a quick stop in Turkey this Thursday to potentially engage in peace discussions between Ukraine and Russia, which are part of a broader Middle East tour.
“I think you’ll probably have a good meeting. You could be a good meeting,” he told reporters on Monday.
He mentioned that although the meeting hadn’t taken place yet, there was an assertion that it was underway.
Ukrainian President Voldymir Zelensky has committed to a meeting this weekend—he’s “waiting” for Putin in Türkiye on Sunday. However, there’s no word from the Kremlin about whether Russian officials will join.
“Here in Ukraine, there’s absolutely no problem with being involved in negotiations. We’re ready for every format,” Zelensky tweeted. “I will be in Türkiye on Thursday, May 15th. I hope Putin will also come to Türkiye. Personally.”
Despite earlier indications, the Kremlin seemed to step back from the idea of a direct meeting.
“This is pure spectacle. It’s comedy, especially in difficult situations,” a Kremlin spokesperson said in an interview. “High-level meetings are definitely not organized like this.”
“Zelensky doesn’t need a meeting with the Russian president—he should actually be wary of it,” he added.
Still, Trump expressed optimism about the potential outcomes of the meeting on Thursday.
“I think we have two leaders there. We were contemplating flying,” he said. “I’m not sure where I’ll be on Thursday. There are many meetings, but I really was considering going there.”
“If you believe things can happen, I think it’s possible, but it must get done.”
The president is expected to be in Qatar, roughly 1,750 miles from Türkiye, on that day.
Trump, Zelensky, and European leaders have urged Putin to establish a 30-day ceasefire by the end of Monday, aiming for integrity ahead of the long-discussed talks. Yet, as of noon, Russia had not ceased its attacks on Ukraine.
Putin remarked on Sunday that he wasn’t bound by any external pressure and that discussions should be unconditional.
The German government has cautioned that a failure to agree on a ceasefire by Monday could lead to more sanctions against Russia.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov rejected the threat, stating that “the ultimate language is unacceptable to Russia and should not be used.”
Nevertheless, Trump mentioned that he has a “feeling” there could be agreement on a 30-day ceasefire by Thursday.
If the talks proceed, it could mark the first face-to-face encounter between Zelensky and Putin since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine back in February 2022.
