Trump Says Meeting with Putin Coming Soon

U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Friday his intention to initiate direct talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the earliest possible opportunity. His remarks came as Russia declined to participate in high-level negotiations with Ukraine, scheduled to take place in Turkey on the same day.

During the final moments of a four-day tour through the Middle East, Trump emphasized the need for personal engagement with Putin. He said plans were being set in motion to arrange a bilateral meeting, underlining that dialogue between the two leaders was essential to advancing the stalled peace process between Moscow and Kyiv.

Putin Declines Ukraine Talks, Trump Steps In

The latest diplomatic initiative, aimed at restarting dialogue between Russia and Ukraine after a years-long stalemate, was dealt a blow when Putin chose not to attend the Istanbul negotiations. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had accepted the invitation to participate in the talks, signaling openness to a potential resolution.

Trump indicated that he was unsurprised by Putin’s absence, attributing it to his own lack of involvement in the meeting. He said the circumstances called for a direct meeting between the U.S. and Russian leaders, which he hoped could be arranged quickly. Expressing a personal note, Trump mentioned his desire to return home briefly to see his newly born grandson, but added that he would be ready to depart immediately for talks with Putin if necessary.

Focus on Ceasefire and Humanitarian Concerns

Trump has been urging both nations to commit to a ceasefire and begin serious steps toward ending the war. Zelenskyy has reportedly endorsed a U.S.-proposed 30-day pause in military operations, though Moscow has yet to agree to the plan and has continued to carry out strikes inside Ukrainian territory.

Despite the absence of Russian leadership, the Istanbul meeting marks the first direct peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine in over three years. However, expectations for immediate breakthroughs remain low among international diplomats and regional analysts.

Mounting Death Toll Fuels Calls for Resolution

In his comments, Trump pointed to the growing number of casualties as a pressing reason for accelerating the peace process. He estimated that approximately 5,000 lives were being lost weekly as a result of the conflict, highlighting the urgent need for high-level engagement to bring the hostilities to a close.

On Thursday, Trump had already signaled that a one-on-one meeting with Putin would be necessary to overcome the diplomatic impasse. He suggested that without a personal discussion between the two leaders, meaningful progress was unlikely.

Concluding his remarks, Trump reaffirmed his commitment to pursuing peace, insisting that resolving the conflict was imperative given the human cost of ongoing violence. His comments placed renewed focus on the potential for direct diplomacy to influence the trajectory of the long-running war.