As the first direct peace talks between Russia and Ukraine in over three years begin in Istanbul, President Donald Trump said he may participate if progress warrants it. Whether Trump travels to Istanbul remains uncertain.
Will Trump attend the Istanbul peace talks?
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy first said on X that Trump has considered appearing at the talks in Turkey, calling his possible presence “the strongest argument” for progress.
“Everything is being decided right now,” Zelenskyy wrote after arriving in Ankara.
Trump, currently on a four-day Middle East trip, told reporters in Qatar that he would consider going to Istanbul on Friday “if it was appropriate.” He added that Russian President Vladimir Putin is unlikely to attend if Trump does not.
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Russia and Ukraine haven’t held direct peace talks since 2022, when negotiations collapsed over military neutrality and Crimea’s status.
Putin has not confirmed attendance and instead sent a lower-level delegation. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told CNN there was “no” chance Putin would travel to the talks. These are the first direct negotiations between the two nations since the full-scale war began in 2022.
What are Trump’s goals in the region?
Trump’s visit to Qatar is part of a broader diplomatic push across the Middle East. He recently lifted U.S. sanctions on Syria and met with the country’s new interim president, Ahmad al-Sharaa, in Riyadh. Trump described Sharaa — a former militant leader who helped overthrow Bashar al-Assad — as a “tough guy” with a chance to stabilize Syria.
The move drew criticism from Israeli officials, who voiced concerns about Sharaa’s past and alleged attacks against Syria’s Druze minority. Israeli Consul General Ofir Akunis told Newsweek that Sharaa’s rise posed risks to regional security and accused him of continuing violence against Druze communities.
What is driving the push for a ceasefire?
Trump has demanded substantial progress before committing to full involvement in peace negotiations. He cited the high human cost of the ongoing war, saying an estimated 5,000 soldiers are dying each week. “I wish I never saw it,” he said, referring to battlefield satellite images. “So we’re going to see if we can end that.”
Zelenskyy said Ukraine initially demanded a full ceasefire as a precondition for talks, but dropped the demand to ensure negotiations moved forward. Russia stated that a ceasefire would be treated as a precondition and has instead called for unconditional discussions.
