Trump says he may attend Russia-Ukraine talks "if appropriate"

US President Donald Trump has said he may attend Russia-Ukraine peace talks in Türkiye on May 16, depending on how events unfold.

“I was thinking about going, but it is very tough... If something happened I would go on Friday [May 16] if it was appropriate,” the president said, speaking at a business breakfast in Doha during his Gulf tour, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media. 

Trump added that negotiations are already underway through US officials. 

“We have people right now negotiating. I just hope Russia and Ukraine are able to do something. It has to stop,” he added. 

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio reinforced Trump’s message during remarks on May 15, stating that the president has been “abundantly clear he wants the war to end,” and emphasised Trump’s willingness to support any mechanism that would bring about lasting peace.

Although it was previously reported that Trump would not attend the May 15 talks, US officials have confirmed that Secretary Rubio and Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, will take part in the negotiations on May 16.

The renewed diplomatic effort follows a proposal by Russia to begin direct negotiations with Ukraine, rather than accepting an unconditional ceasefire backed by Kyiv and the United States. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy accepted the invitation and called for an in-person meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Istanbul on May 15.

The Russian leader seemingly declined to join himself and appointed his aide, Vladimir Medinsky, to lead the talks. The Russian delegation has already arrived in Istanbul.

By Sabina Mammadli