Trump to Engage with Russian and Ukrainian Leaders Following Influential Talks in Turkiye
Upcoming conversations aim to address ongoing conflict and potential ceasefire amid renewed negotiations.
US President Donald Trump announced plans to engage in discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Monday, highlighting the urgency of addressing the ongoing conflict that has persisted since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in early 2022. The announcement follows recent face-to-face talks held in Turkiye, marking the first direct negotiations between the two countries in over a year.
During Friday's discussions in Istanbul, a senior Ukrainian official reported that Russian negotiators presented new conditions for a potential ceasefire, including the withdrawal of Ukrainian forces from territories claimed by Moscow.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirmed that preparations for a conversation between Trump and Putin were underway, underscoring the high-stakes nature of the talks.
Trump, using Truth Social, mentioned his intention to discuss not only the cessation of hostilities—which he described as a ‘bloodbath’—but also issues related to trade.
He scheduled his call with Putin for 10 a.m. Eastern Time (1400 GMT).
Following his conversation with Putin, Trump plans to speak with Zelensky and NATO officials.
In response to the ongoing violence, Zelensky called for heightened sanctions against Russia, specifically following a recent attack attributed to Russian drones in the Sumy region, which resulted in civilian casualties.
He emphasized the necessity for intensified pressure on Russia to foster diplomatic solutions, rejecting claims that military targets were the focus of such strikes.
The recent talks in Turkiye lasted one hour and 40 minutes, concluding with a tentative agreement on both sides exchanging 1,000 prisoners of war, although specific timelines for this exchange remain unannounced.
The Kremlin has refrained from commenting on the full scope of Russia's demands made during the discussions.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov communicated with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio regarding the talks, acknowledging the constructive role of the United States in facilitating ongoing negotiations.
Lavrov indicated that Russia is exploring a series of ideas that could advance dialogue towards a ceasefire.
Rubio, in a separate interview, expressed skepticism regarding the sincerity of Russian commitments and mentioned potential venues, including the Vatican, to host future discussions aimed at resolving the conflict.
During Friday's discussions in Istanbul, a senior Ukrainian official reported that Russian negotiators presented new conditions for a potential ceasefire, including the withdrawal of Ukrainian forces from territories claimed by Moscow.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirmed that preparations for a conversation between Trump and Putin were underway, underscoring the high-stakes nature of the talks.
Trump, using Truth Social, mentioned his intention to discuss not only the cessation of hostilities—which he described as a ‘bloodbath’—but also issues related to trade.
He scheduled his call with Putin for 10 a.m. Eastern Time (1400 GMT).
Following his conversation with Putin, Trump plans to speak with Zelensky and NATO officials.
In response to the ongoing violence, Zelensky called for heightened sanctions against Russia, specifically following a recent attack attributed to Russian drones in the Sumy region, which resulted in civilian casualties.
He emphasized the necessity for intensified pressure on Russia to foster diplomatic solutions, rejecting claims that military targets were the focus of such strikes.
The recent talks in Turkiye lasted one hour and 40 minutes, concluding with a tentative agreement on both sides exchanging 1,000 prisoners of war, although specific timelines for this exchange remain unannounced.
The Kremlin has refrained from commenting on the full scope of Russia's demands made during the discussions.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov communicated with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio regarding the talks, acknowledging the constructive role of the United States in facilitating ongoing negotiations.
Lavrov indicated that Russia is exploring a series of ideas that could advance dialogue towards a ceasefire.
Rubio, in a separate interview, expressed skepticism regarding the sincerity of Russian commitments and mentioned potential venues, including the Vatican, to host future discussions aimed at resolving the conflict.
