US President Donald Trump expressed a positive attitude towards the upcoming negotiations between Ukraine and Russia, scheduled for May 15 in Istanbul, on May 12. According to him, «I think this meeting could lead to good results,» he noted during a speech at the White House, as reported by Reuters.
This is reported by Kyiv24
Trump did not provide additional details regarding the possible meeting; however, his words indicate an interest in a diplomatic resolution to the conflict. Ukraine confirms its readiness for a long-term ceasefire with Russia. Leaders of the EU and the US have supported a 30-day truce starting from May 12. At the same time, Russia, while not outright rejecting the idea of peace, insists on starting negotiations without preconditions, including without a ceasefire.
Negotiations in Istanbul: Positions and Expectations
Russian President Vladimir Putin proposed to hold negotiations in Istanbul on May 15. In turn, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated on May 11 that he plans to personally arrive in Turkey for a meeting with Putin. Although Putin did not mention such a trip, Zelensky confirmed his intention to meet, even if a ceasefire is not reached. This is corroborated by sources and the Axios publication.
US Calls for Swift Negotiations
On the eve of the meeting, Trump urged Ukraine to start negotiations with Russia as soon as possible. At the same time, he expressed doubt about the possibility of reaching a peace agreement, emphasizing that the main thing is to understand the situation. According to him, depending on the developments, EU and US leaders will determine their next steps. Trump does not rule out the possibility of imposing new sanctions against Russia to encourage it towards peace.