US President Donald Trump said on Monday that he may join upcoming peace talks between Ukraine and Russia in Turkey. The talks, expected to take place later this week in Istanbul, are part of efforts to establish a long-term ceasefire in the ongoing war.

While addressing reporters in the White House, Trump confirmed his latest move. Trump is set to travel to Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar this week. He stated that he could possibly go to Turkey too if the negotiations look promising.

“I’ve got so many meetings, but I was thinking about actually flying over there. There’s a possibility of it, I guess, if I think things can happen, but we’ve got to get it done,” he said.

He added, “Don’t underestimate Thursday in Turkey.”

His remarks came a day after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that he will travel to Istanbul and will wait to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin for a direct dialogue.

UKRAINE AND ALLIES STILL WAITING FOR RUSSIA’S RESPONSE

In his video message, Zelenskyy confirmed that Russia continued its attacks on the battlefield and said there had been no reply from Moscow to the offer for a meeting.

“Russian shelling and assaults continue,” Zelenskyy said. “Moscow has remained silent all day regarding the proposal for a direct meeting. A very strange silence.”

Zelenskyy also met with Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan about the suggested negotiations. Erdogan called the meeting a “window of opportunity” and said it was a new possibility to end the war.

Earlier in the day, Germany warned that Europe would put more sanctions on Russia unless it agreed to a 30-day ceasefire. “The clock is ticking,” a German government spokesperson said at a press briefing.

Ukraine’s military reported heavy drone attacks in the east, despite Kyiv and Europe urging a ceasefire.

However, Russia replied that the ceasefire proposal was merely an attempt by Ukraine to recover and gear up for another round of fighting. Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova stated that the suggestion was intended “to give a pause to Kyiv to restore its military capabilities.”

On Saturday, the leaders of four major European nations travelled to Kyiv and asked Russia to agree to an unconditional 30-day ceasefire beginning on Monday. But Russian President Vladimir Putin responded by proposing that face-to-face negotiations with Ukraine might take place in Istanbul, potentially resulting in peace.

Zelenskyy and Putin have not met in person since December 2019.

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