United States President Donald Trump expressed optimism about resolving the Ukraine conflict, stating that "pretty good news" is expected soon. Speaking during a meeting with Qatar's Emir, Trump praised Doha’s role in mediating efforts and hinted at positive developments from upcoming negotiations in Istanbul.

Despite Ukraine’s readiness for discussions, President Volodymyr Zelensky emphasized that his participation hinges on Russia’s delegation level, insisting on talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin. However, the Kremlin confirmed that Putin and Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov would not attend. Instead, Putin's aide Vladimir Medinsky leads Russia's delegation, marking the first direct talks between the two nations since 2022.

In parallel, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrived in Antalya, Turkey, for diplomatic engagements, including coordination meetings with European allies and the NATO foreign ministers’ informal summit. Rubio underscored the US administration’s openness to “virtually any mechanism” that fosters a just peace, while emphasizing that a military solution remains unfeasible.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha met with Rubio and US Senator Lindsey Graham to align strategies and reaffirm Kiev’s commitment to Trump's peace initiatives. Sybiha called on Russia to respond constructively, warning that rejecting peace efforts carries consequences.

Russia’s Foreign Ministry confirmed its delegation’s readiness for “serious work” in Istanbul. However, uncertainty remains regarding Ukraine's engagement, as Zelensky's office withheld comments on their participation absent Putin's direct involvement.

As diplomatic maneuvers unfold, the international community closely watches Istanbul, where hopes for a breakthrough persist despite leadership absences and lingering tensions.