Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has invited former U.S. President Donald Trump to join peace talks in Turkey aimed at ending the ongoing war with Russia, as reported by The Wall Street Journal. Zelensky’s move is seen as an effort to increase pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin to agree to a cease-fire. On Monday, Zelensky posted on social media that he supports Trump’s idea of direct talks with Putin and is ready to meet in Turkey.
He emphasized that everyone in Ukraine hopes Trump will attend the negotiations. This invitation comes as Zelensky intensifies his campaign to persuade Putin to accept a truce, but it remains uncertain whether the Russian leader will participate in the talks. The Wall Street Journal notes that Zelensky’s public invitation is part of a broader strategy to involve influential global leaders and push for meaningful progress in peace efforts.
According to Politico, President Trump has suggested he may travel to Turkey this week to take part in the upcoming peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine. Trump mentioned during a press conference that he would consider flying to Turkey if he believed his presence would help the peace process. However, he did not confirm his attendance or specify how he might contribute to the discussions. The logistics of such a trip are complex, especially given Trump’s scheduled visits to several Middle Eastern countries this week.
Trump has encouraged both sides to pursue direct negotiations in Istanbul after Putin rejected Ukraine’s call for a 30-day cease-fire, instead proposing face-to-face talks. Following this rejection, Russia has increased drone attacks on Ukraine. Politico highlights that both Trump and Zelensky see the upcoming meeting as highly significant, with Zelensky reiterating on social media that Ukraine would welcome Trump’s participation and hopes Russia will not avoid the talks.
The Hill reports that Trump has repeatedly pressed for a cease-fire and has been vocal about the need for direct talks between Zelensky and Putin in Turkey. Both leaders have indicated they could meet for negotiations later this week, but Putin’s attendance has not been confirmed. Trump, who is traveling in the Middle East, said he might consider flying to Turkey if he believes it could help achieve progress. The Hill points out that Ukraine has agreed to a temporary cease-fire, but Russia has so far refused these terms. Despite previous tense meetings between Trump and Zelensky, the two recently met again and finalized a mineral deal that could benefit the U.S. if additional support is provided to Ukraine. The Hill also notes that while Zelensky is ready for the meeting, the uncertainty over Putin’s participation remains a significant obstacle to achieving a breakthrough in the peace process.
Sources:
https://www.wsj.com/world/zelensky-asks-trump-to-join-ukraine-peace-talks-3c8be9bb
https://www.politico.com/news/2025/05/12/trump-travel-russia-ukraine-peace-talks-00341968
https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/5295480-trump-turkey-russia-ukraine/
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