Trump’s possible Istanbul visit hinges on Russian president’s participation in peace talks

US President Donald Trump has yet to decide whether he will travel to Istanbul to attend the imminent Russian-Ukrainian peace negotiations, a senior US official said.

The official noted that Trump’s participation remains contingent on the confirmed presence of Russian President Vladimir Putin at the talks, Caliber.Az reports, citing foreign media.

Trump, speaking on May 12, indicated he was open to traveling to Türkiye if his involvement would help bridge the gap between Moscow and Kyiv. “If my presence can bring us closer to peace, I will not hesitate to go,” Trump stated, underscoring his willingness to play a direct role in resolving the ongoing conflict.

While Trump’s own attendance remains uncertain, the White House has confirmed that two of his appointed envoys — real estate executive Steven Witkoff and retired Lieutenant General Keith Kellogg — will attend the negotiations as official observers. Both figures have played advisory roles in Trump’s foreign policy orbit and are expected to provide updates to the administration on developments in Istanbul.

The planned talks, scheduled to begin on May 15, mark the first significant attempt to revive direct dialogue between Russia and Ukraine since negotiations broke down in 2022. Speaking from the Kremlin in the early hours of May 11, President Putin called on Kyiv to re-engage in diplomacy “without preconditions,” asserting that Russia remains open to dialogue. He also accused Ukrainian forces of violating multiple ceasefires, including a recent truce during commemorations of the 80th anniversary of the Soviet Union’s victory in World War II.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who had previously demanded a 30-day ceasefire as a prerequisite for talks, announced on May 12 that he would travel to Istanbul on May 15. The shift in position comes in the wake of Trump’s public urging for Ukraine to accept Russia’s proposal to restart negotiations.

By Vafa Guliyeva