Trump May Attend Peace Talks in Turkey
Former President Donald Trump mentioned he might consider traveling to Turkey to facilitate peace discussions between Russia and Ukraine. He expressed skepticism about whether Russian President Vladimir Putin would attend without his presence.
“I’m not sure if he’ll show up,” Trump informed reporters while on Air Force One. “I know he wants me to be there, and that’s definitely a possibility.”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is traveling to Ankara for a direct meeting with Putin, but it remains uncertain if the Kremlin leader will actually show up to discuss ending the conflict.
Russia has indicated a willingness to resume peace talks, with Zelensky openly inviting Putin to participate, although the Kremlin hasn’t confirmed attendance. Zelensky emphasized he would only negotiate directly with Putin.
Before heading to the Middle East, Trump remarked at the White House, “Don’t underestimate the significance of Thursday in Turkey.” He had originally planned to send Secretary of State Marco Rubio and other officials but seems to be reconsidering this approach.
“I don’t know if he’d be there if I wasn’t,” Trump noted, adding that he may look into the situation further. He mentioned that Rubio previously attended and was “very effective.” As for the ongoing war, Trump said, “If we can end it, I’m thinking about it. But tomorrow is packed; there’s a full schedule with the UAE.”
Zelensky highlighted the urgency for the main leaders to engage in talks, as negotiations seem to have stalled recently.
Trump also conveyed a sense of cautious optimism regarding the possibility of peace but acknowledged the complexities involved. He stated, “If Putin is genuinely open to a face-to-face meeting, then we’ll do everything we can to pursue a ceasefire.”
On Sunday, Putin proposed peace negotiations in Turkey “without any prerequisites,” although he did not confirm whether he would attend. His spokesperson, Dmitry Peskov, indicated that a delegation was poised to meet in Istanbul to engage with Ukrainian representatives, adding another layer of uncertainty to the peace process.
