U.S. President Donald Trump has expressed his willingness to join prospective peace talks between Russia and Ukraine in Turkey later this week, as European nations press the Kremlin to agree to a 30-day ceasefire in the ongoing war in Ukraine. The announcement comes as a significant development in the stop-start peace process, with Trump aiming to broker an end to the conflict that has persisted since Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022.
On Monday, Trump told reporters at the White House that he might attend the talks scheduled for Thursday in Istanbul, where Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has confirmed he will be present to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin. “I’ve got so many meetings, but I was thinking about actually flying over there. There’s a possibility of it, I guess, if I think things can happen, but we’ve got to get it done,” Trump said before departing for a Middle East trip that includes stops in Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar.
Zelenskiy’s decision to travel to Istanbul follows a dramatic 48 hours of diplomatic maneuvering. European leaders, alongside Zelenskiy, had demanded a 30-day unconditional ceasefire starting Monday, a proposal Putin countered by suggesting direct talks in Turkey without preconditions. Trump, who has positioned himself as a peacemaker, endorsed Putin’s proposal, calling it “a potentially great day for Russia and Ukraine” and urging Zelenskiy to attend immediately. “President Putin of Russia doesn’t want to have a Cease Fire Agreement with Ukraine, but rather wants to meet on Thursday, in Turkey, to negotiate a possible end to the BLOODBATH,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
The Ukrainian leader has emphasized the need for a ceasefire to provide a foundation for diplomacy, stating in a Sunday post on X, “We await a full and lasting ceasefire, starting from tomorrow, to provide the necessary basis for diplomacy.” However, Zelenskiy noted in his nightly address that Russian attacks continued unabated on Monday, and Moscow had not responded to the offer of direct talks. “Moscow has remained silent all day regarding the proposal for a direct meeting. A very strange silence,” he remarked.
Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has emerged as a key facilitator, with Zelenskiy and Erdogan discussing the proposed talks on Monday. Erdogan described the meeting as a “new window of opportunity” not to be missed, while Trump praised him as a “great host.” However, it remains unclear whether Putin will attend in person, as the Kremlin has not confirmed his participation. The two leaders have not met face-to-face since December 2019 and have publicly expressed mutual disdain.
The conflict remains intense, with Ukraine’s military reporting 133 clashes with Russian forces on Monday, despite the proposed ceasefire. The heaviest fighting continues in the Donetsk region and Russia’s Kursk region, where Ukrainian forces launched a cross-border incursion nine months ago. A Ukrainian military spokesperson noted that the fighting’s intensity suggests no ceasefire is in effect.
European leaders are cautiously supportive but firm on ensuring Ukraine’s involvement in any peace process. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz stressed that “there must be no decision over the heads of Ukraine,” while the German government warned of new sanctions against Russia if the Kremlin fails to comply with the ceasefire demand by the end of Monday. European nations are also navigating strained relations with Trump, who has imposed tariffs but remains a pivotal figure in the peace process due to the U.S.’s significant military support for Ukraine.
Trump’s potential involvement in the Istanbul talks underscores his administration’s shift in approach from the Biden era, which focused on isolating Russia. His earlier proposals, reported in April 2025, included recognizing Russian control over Crimea and occupied regions in exchange for a ceasefire, a plan that drew criticism from Ukraine and European allies for favoring Moscow. The U.S. has also suggested deploying a European peacekeeping force, unaffiliated with NATO, to monitor any ceasefire, a proposal Russia has rejected.
As the Thursday meeting approaches, the stakes are high for all parties. Zelenskiy has called for an end to the “killings,” while Trump remains optimistic, stating, “Don’t underestimate Thursday in Turkey.” However, with ongoing military engagements and deep mistrust between Russia and Ukraine, the path to peace remains fraught with challenges.
