Trump seeks high-stakes meeting with Putin after failed talks
Donald Trump was willing to meet with Vladimir Putin after the failed talks between Zelensky and Putin in Istanbul. "As soon as we can arrange it," Trump said.
What do you need to know?
- Donald Trump wants to meet with Vladimir Putin following the unsuccessful Russia-Ukraine talks that were supposed to take place in Turkey.
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was ready to meet with Putin, but the Russian president sent his representatives instead of appearing personally.
- Trump stated that he understands Putin's decision not to attend.
During his visit to the Middle East, Donald Trump mentioned that he is keen to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin as soon as possible. "As soon as we can arrange it," he was quoted by the "New York Post," Trump expressed his intention to arrange a meeting with the Russian president to accelerate the peace process in Ukraine. He affirmed that this initiative would progress, voicing optimism about reaching an agreement.
The U.S. President hoped that Putin and Volodymyr Zelensky would meet on Thursday at 10:00 a.m. ET in Turkey for the first round of personal negotiations to end the three-year war in Ukraine.
What happened to the Russia-Ukraine talks?
Volodymyr Zelensky was ready to meet. However, Vladimir Putin did not appear personally, sending his advisor, Vladimir Medinsky, to Istanbul. In addition to him, the delegation included Deputy Defence Minister Alexander Fomin, Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin, and the head of Russian military intelligence, Igor Kostyukov. Zelensky, who was in Turkey for talks with Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, called the makeup of the delegation "decorative" and stated that "there was no point" in going to Istanbul.
Trump expressed understanding for Putin's decision but emphasized his objective to reach an agreement.
