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U.S. President Donald Trump said Monday he is considering traveling to Türkiye for proposed Ukraine-Russia peace talks scheduled for Thursday, adding a new dimension to diplomatic efforts aimed at ending the three-year conflict.
Trump's announcement follows his Sunday talks with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. "I had a very good and productive telephone conversation with President Erdogan," Trump wrote on Truth Social following his call with President Erdogan. The leaders discussed the conflicts in Ukraine, Syria, and Gaza, with Trump noting he was invited to visit Türkiye.
"I look forward to working with President Erdogan on getting the ridiculous, but deadly, war between Russia and Ukraine ended — NOW!" Trump added.
The potential presidential visit comes amid a flurry of diplomatic activity after Russian President Vladimir Putin proposed direct talks with Ukraine in Istanbul "to achieve the restoration of a long-term, lasting peace." Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has accepted the invitation, though with conditions.
"We await a full and lasting cease-fire, starting from tomorrow, to provide the necessary basis for diplomacy," Zelensky posted on X. "There is no point in prolonging the killings. And I will be waiting for Putin in Türkiye on Thursday. Personally. I hope that this time the Russians will not look for excuses."
Trump has been increasingly vocal about ending the conflict, urging Ukraine on Sunday to "IMMEDIATELY" agree to meet with Putin. "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.
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