Trump may join Russia-Ukraine peace talks in Turkey to pressure Putin into attendance
President Donald Trump has expressed his willingness to travel to Turkey for peace talks between Russia and Ukraine, citing his belief that Russian President Vladimir Putin may only attend the negotiations if he is present. Trump made these comments to reporters aboard Air Force One, stating, “I don’t know if he’s showing up. I know he would like me to be there. And that’s a possibility.”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is scheduled to travel to Ankara for direct talks with Putin in an effort to end the ongoing war between the two countries. However, it remains uncertain whether Putin will attend the talks as Russia has not confirmed the attendees, while Zelenskyy has made it clear that he will only meet with Putin.
Trump mentioned that he has a busy schedule in the United Arab Emirates on Thursday but expressed his willingness to attend the peace talks if it could help end the war and save lives. He acknowledged that Secretary of State Marco Rubio will be present at the talks and praised his effectiveness in diplomatic matters.
The White House has also announced that special envoys Steve Witkoff and Keith Kellogg will join Rubio at the negotiations, raising hopes for progress in the stalled peace talks. Zelenskyy emphasized the importance of direct negotiations between the leaders of the two countries to reach a ceasefire agreement.
Putin has yet to confirm his attendance at the talks, but he has suggested that negotiations take place in Turkey without any preconditions. His spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirmed that a delegation will be waiting in Istanbul to engage with the Ukrainian representatives on Thursday.
Overall, the potential involvement of President Trump in the peace talks between Russia and Ukraine signals a renewed effort to find a peaceful resolution to the ongoing conflict. The international community remains hopeful that the talks in Turkey will lead to a ceasefire and pave the way for lasting peace in the region.
