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U.S. President Donald Trump is open to joining proposed three-way peace talks in Türkiye alongside the Russian and Ukrainian leaders, the White House said Monday, following Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s renewed offer to host the summit.
“The president has said he’s open to it if it comes to that, but he wants both of these leaders and both sides to come to the table together,” White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters when asked about Erdogan’s proposal.
Erdogan on Monday reiterated his call for a high-level summit, saying Türkiye stands ready to host Russian President Vladimir Putin, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Trump in either Istanbul or Ankara.
“My greatest wish for both sides is to bring both (Russia's) Vladimir Putin and (Ukraine's Volodymyr) Zelenskyy together in Istanbul or Ankara, and even to bring (U.S. President) Mr (Donald) Trump to their side, if they accept,” Erdogan said.
He added that Türkiye was prepared to “take steps” to make such a meeting possible, following direct Russian-Ukrainian talks held earlier Monday in Istanbul.
The latest round of peace negotiations resulted in a significant agreement between Ukraine and Russia to carry out the largest exchange of prisoners and fallen soldiers since the war began in February 2022. Officials from both sides confirmed the breakthrough after talks hosted by Türkiye on June 2.
The agreement was finalized during the second round of negotiations held at Istanbul’s Ciragan Palace, where Türkiye’s mediation once again brought the warring parties to the table.
Ankara has played a pivotal diplomatic role since the early stages of the war, hosting high-level meetings including the Antalya Diplomacy Forum and talks at the Dolmabahce Office of the Presidency in Istanbul.
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