Trump says he may come to Istanbul for Ukraine-Russia meeting
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- Darina Melnychuk
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18:18, 12 May, 2025
US President Donald Trump. Photo: AP Photo/Evan VucciUS President Donald Trump has said he may travel to Istanbul on 15 May, where Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin are scheduled to meet.
He said this during a conversation with journalists at the White House.
According to him, there is a possibility that he will go if he thinks there is a chance to achieve a result.
«I think there could be a good result from the meeting on Thursday in Turkey between Russia and Ukraine, and I believe that both leaders will be there (referring to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin, — note) I was thinking about flying there», US President Donald Trump said.
He added that the meeting between Russia and Ukraine is «very important». He also hopes that Russia will agree to a 30-day ceasefire.
As a reminder, on 11 May, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced his desire to resume direct talks with Ukraine, which were suspended at the end of 2022. He also said that he planned to address Turkish President Recep Erdogan with a proposal to organise the talks.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy commented on Russian President Vladimir Putin's proposal for direct talks, calling it a «good sign». However, Volodymyr Zelenskyy stressed that a ceasefire was needed first to really start a dialogue with Russia.
Turkish President Recep Erdogan accepted Russian President Vladimir Putin's offer to hold talks between Ukraine and Russia in Istanbul on 15 May.
US President Donald Trump said that Ukraine should accept the Kremlin's offer to hold direct talks in Istanbul on 15 May: «Have that meeting, now».
Subsequently, Volodymyr Zelenskyy stressed that he was looking forward to direct talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin on 15 May in Turkey.