Trump Putin Ukraine peace talks
On May 15, 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump said that peace between Russia and Ukraine is unlikely without a direct meeting between him and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Trump, speaking aboard Air Force One, claimed that Putin chose not to attend the Istanbul peace summit because Trump would not be there either.
Trump stated, “Nothing is going to happen until Putin and I get together,” adding that too many lives are being lost, and only a high-level meeting could bring real progress.
Despite a personal invitation from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Putin sent a delegation instead of attending the summit himself. The Russian team includes Kremlin aide Vladimir Medinsky and top officials from the defense and foreign ministries.
President Zelensky questioned whether the Russian delegation had real authority to make decisions. He stressed that in Russia, only Putin holds actual power. Zelensky also called Russia’s participation “theatrical,” showing his doubt about their seriousness in seeking peace.
Meanwhile, Trump hinted he might go to Turkey if it would help stop the war. While in Qatar, he said, “If something happens, I’d go on Friday if it was appropriate.”
The U.S. delegation at the summit is led by Secretary of State Marco Rubio. He emphasized that the war cannot be won on the battlefield and must be resolved through diplomacy. Rubio also explained that Trump wants global peace so countries can focus on growth and stability.
The peace summit in Istanbul comes after several European nations—France, Germany, the UK, and Poland—supported a 30-day ceasefire proposal. Putin agreed to this plan, and Trump reportedly supported it during a phone call with European leaders.
This summit is the first formal peace meeting between Ukraine and Russia since early 2022, when the full-scale invasion began. President Zelensky remains firm that he will only negotiate with Putin, not any lower-level Russian officials.
The world now waits to see whether this summit can lead to real progress or if further talks will only happen when Trump and Putin finally sit down together.
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