U.S. President Donald Trump on Sunday called for urgent action from Ukraine to attend proposed peace talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Istanbul, highlighting the opportunity to clarify whether a peace deal is possible. Trump stated, “At least they will be able to determine whether or not a deal is possible, and if it is not, European leaders and the US will know where everything stands and can proceed accordingly!”

Shortly after Trump’s remarks, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced he would meet Putin “personally” in Turkey on Thursday, stressing the need for a “full and lasting ceasefire.” His comments came via a post on X, where he added, “I hope that this time the Russians will not look for excuses.” The proposed meeting would be the first face-to-face encounter between the two leaders since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

Russian officials have suggested the May 15 talks take place in Istanbul with no preconditions. The Kremlin stated that the objective is to address “the core issues” of the conflict and pursue a lasting peace agreement. Ukrainian officials remain cautious, reiterating that Moscow must first commit to a complete ceasefire before meaningful negotiations can begin.

Meanwhile, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan reaffirmed Turkey’s readiness to host the negotiations during a phone call with French President Emmanuel Macron. Erdogan’s office emphasized Ankara’s neutrality and experience in facilitating past dialogue, including the 2022 Istanbul talks and the Black Sea grain deal.

France and Germany have echoed Ukraine’s stance on the necessity of a ceasefire. French President Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz support the effort, positioning it as a potential turning point in the conflict if both parties engage sincerely.

The diplomatic push marks a renewed moment of potential de-escalation, with Turkey serving as a central intermediary. If successful, the Istanbul meeting could open the door to broader discussions on ending the war and stabilizing the region.