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President Donald Trump announced his hope to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin “as soon as we can set it up,” following both leaders’ absence from recent Russia-Ukraine peace negotiations held in Turkey.
The president shared the update while speaking from Abu Dhabi, the final stop of his Middle East tour. He stressed the necessity of a direct dialogue with Putin to advance peace efforts in Ukraine.
“I think it’s time for us to just do it,” he told reporters, Fox News reported.
The Istanbul talks marked the first direct negotiations between the Russian and Ukrainian delegations in three years. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy attended, while Putin sent a lower-level delegation.
Zelenskyy criticized Putin’s absence, interpreting it as a sign of disrespect toward both Ukraine and the international mediators.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio represented the U.S. in Turkey. He reflected the president’s statement, stating that a breakthrough is unlikely without a direct conversation between Trump and Putin.
“I don’t think anything productive is actually going to happen from this point forward… until they engage in a very frank and direct conversation, which I know President Trump is willing to do,” Rubio said.
Trump called for an end to the “BLOODBATH” between Russia and Ukraine on Sunday in an update on his Truth Social account.
“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. Ukraine should agree to this, IMMEDIATELY,” Trump wrote.
“At least they will be able to determine whether or not a deal is possible, and if it is not, European leaders, and the U.S., will know where everything stands, and can proceed accordingly! I’m starting to doubt that Ukraine will make a deal with Putin, who’s too busy celebrating the Victory of World War ll, which could not have been won (not even close!) without the United States of America. HAVE THE MEETING, NOW!!!” he added.
Trump has expressed a desire to bring the war in Ukraine to an end but warned that his administration could walk away from mediation efforts if both sides don’t make meaningful progress.
