Official: Trump team made "impossible possible" in Russia-Ukraine talks

The efforts of the new US administration led by Donald Trump have made the “impossible possible” by bringing the Russian and Ukrainian sides together for talks, the head of the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) Kirill Dmitriev said. 

“President Donald Trump, JD Vance, Steve Witkoff, Secretary Marco Rubio & key Trump allies just made the impossible possible. Against all odds/fierce resistance — the first direct Russia–Ukraine peace talks in 3 years are set to begin,” Dmitriev shared on X, Caliber.Az reports. 

He added that if not derailed last-minute, this could be a historic step to peace.

Russian and Ukrainian delegations are set to meet for peace negotiations in Istanbul, which would be the first direct talks between Moscow and Kyiv in three years. The meeting is scheduled for later today, with no concrete time set yet. 

The Russian delegation is already in Istanbul, and some US officials are also currently present in the city. Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also arrived in Ankara where he is meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said he wants to meet the Russian leader to discuss an unconditional, 30-day cease-fire proposed by the US that Ukraine agreed to in March, but Putin has prevaricated over.

After the Kremlin confirmed Putin's absence, a US official said Trump would also skip the meeting, though he had earlier said he was considering participation.

By Sabina Mammadli