United States President Donald Trump announced Monday that he may travel to Istanbul this week if it would support ongoing mediation efforts between Russia and Ukraine. Speaking at a press conference in the Oval Office, Trump claimed the upcoming talks are happening due to his mediation efforts and added, “If I thought it might be helpful... I will fly there,” noting he might already be “some place in the Middle East” at that time.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed his readiness to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in Turkey on Thursday, urging Moscow not to evade the talks. “I hope that the Russians will not evade the meeting,” Zelensky stated, while reiterating his demand for a “full and unconditional ceasefire.”

Zelensky also invited President Trump to join the discussions. “All of us in Ukraine would appreciate it if President Trump could be there with us at this meeting in Türkiye. This is the right idea. We can change a lot,” he said, welcoming Trump’s diplomatic efforts and support for a negotiated solution.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan described the planned meeting as “a new window of opportunity,” expressing hope that this chance for diplomacy would not be wasted. Erdogan revealed he had held phone conversations with both Putin and Zelensky to discuss the potential for a peaceful resolution to the conflict.

Turkey reaffirmed its readiness to host negotiations between Russia and Ukraine, with Erdogan voicing support for President Trump’s diplomatic initiatives to resolve conflicts through dialogue.

Separately, Trump mentioned during his remarks that he is considering lifting U.S. sanctions on Syria due to its new government. “We want to give them a fresh start,” he stated, indicating a possible policy shift regarding Washington’s stance on Damascus.

The potential involvement of Trump in the Istanbul talks underscores the growing momentum for renewed diplomatic efforts, with key global leaders aiming to broker a ceasefire and de-escalate regional tensions.