Trump proposes meeting with Putin after failed peace talks
Following the failed discussions between Zelensky and Putin in Istanbul, Donald Trump indicated that he was open to meeting with Vladimir Putin and would do so as soon as it could be organized.
What do you need to know?
- Donald Trump wants to meet Vladimir Putin after the failed Russia-Ukraine talks that were supposed to take place in Turkey.
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was prepared to meet Putin, but the Russian president sent his representatives instead.
- Trump stated that he understands Putin's decision not to attend in person.
During his visit to the Middle East, Donald Trump expressed his intention to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin as soon as circumstances allow. According to the New York Post, Trump underlined his desire to facilitate a meeting to accelerate efforts toward a peaceful resolution in Ukraine. He conveyed confidence that the meeting would occur and voiced optimism about reaching an agreement.
The former President hoped that Putin and Volodymyr Zelensky would meet on Thursday in Turkey for the first round of face-to-face negotiations to end the three-year conflict in Ukraine.
What happened to the Russia-Ukraine talks?
Volodymyr Zelensky was ready to meet. However, Vladimir Putin did not attend personally, sending his advisor, Vladimir Medinsky, to Istanbul instead. The delegation also 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 of Putin's decision but emphasised that he aims to reach an agreement.