Diplomatic Frenzy as Trump Offers to Join Ukraine-Russia Peace Talks

In a surprising turn of events, former President Donald Trump proposed on Monday to participate in upcoming peace negotiations between Ukraine and Russia, sparking a flurry of diplomatic activity across the US and Europe. His offer to join the talks scheduled for Thursday in Istanbul comes amid a fragile and uncertain peace process, with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky indicating he would travel to Turkey to meet President Vladimir Putin.

Following Trump’s announcement, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio engaged in high-level discussions with European counterparts, including Britain and France’s foreign ministers and the EU’s foreign policy chief. The conversations focused on charting a possible path toward a ceasefire in Ukraine, according to the State Department.

Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, along with officials from Germany and Poland, also participated in these urgent calls. Meanwhile, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov held talks late Monday with Turkey’s Hakan Fidan to discuss Moscow’s proposal for direct negotiations with Kyiv, a suggestion that emerged from Vladimir Putin over the weekend.

The specifics of who from Moscow might travel to Istanbul for the talks remain unclear. If they proceed, it would mark the first direct engagement between Kyiv and Moscow since the early days of Russia’s invasion in February 2022. The Kremlin has yet to respond to Zelensky’s offer or comment on Trump’s involvement, while Moscow’s stance on a potential meeting remains uncertain.

Should Zelensky and Putin meet on Thursday, it would be their first face-to-face encounter since December 2019, amid ongoing tensions and mutual disdain. “Don’t underestimate Thursday in Turkey,” Trump told reporters at the White House, emphasizing the significance of the upcoming diplomatic developments.

Meanwhile, Trump’s own schedule has him traveling to Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar this week, as the international community watches closely for signs of movement toward peace.