Newsletters
U.S. President Donald Trump's senior envoys Steve Witkoff and Keith Kellogg will travel to Istanbul for potential talks on Thursday aimed at ending Russia's war in Ukraine, according to three sources familiar with the plans cited by Reuters.
The meeting would mark the first direct peace talks between Kyiv and Moscow since the early months of Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022. However, a senior U.S. official indicated it remains unclear whether any representatives from the Russian government will attend.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has stated he will only participate in the talks if Russian President Vladimir Putin also attends, effectively challenging the Kremlin to demonstrate genuine interest in seeking peace.
Moscow has not confirmed whether Putin will travel to Türkiye for the proposed meeting. When directly questioned about who would represent Russia, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Tuesday, "As soon as the president sees fit, we will announce it."
A senior U.S. official noted that Washington does not expect Moscow to announce its plans until early Thursday morning.
U.S. officials are hoping Russia will agree to a comprehensive 30-day land, air, sea and critical infrastructure cease-fire, according to a senior U.S. official who added that Kyiv has already committed to such an arrangement. European nations also support this cease-fire proposal.
The European Union has threatened to impose additional sanctions on Moscow if Russia refuses the cease-fire. A senior European official told Reuters these sanctions would target Russia's shadow fleet.
Trump, currently on a Middle East tour with stops in Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar, said Monday he would fly to Istanbul "if necessary."
The president stated, "I think you may have a good result out of the Thursday meeting in Türkiye between Russia and Ukraine. I don't know where I'm going to be on Thursday, I've got so many meetings, but I was thinking about actually flying over there. There's a possibility of it, I guess, if I think things can happen."
Zelenskyy welcomed Trump's potential participation, saying in his evening address: "It is important that President Trump fully supports the meeting, and we would like him to find the opportunity to be in Türkiye."
Last weekend, Ukraine's major European allies presented Russia with an ultimatum: agree to an unconditional 30-day cease-fire or face "massive" new sanctions. Germany's new chancellor, Friedrich Merz, indicated Trump had supported this initiative.
European Union's top diplomat Kaja Kallas expressed skepticism about Putin's attendance, stating at a democracy conference in Copenhagen, "I think it's a good move if they sit down, but I don't think he dares, Putin." She added that Russia appears to be "clearly playing games, trying to find time, hoping that time is on their side."
Ukrainian officials have emphasized the significance of Putin's potential absence. Andriy Yermak, Zelenskyy's chief of staff, stated, "If Vladimir Putin refuses to come to Türkiye, it will be the final signal that Russia does not want to end this war, that Russia is not willing and not ready for any negotiations."
1 min read
1 min read
