Trump suggests Putin's visit to Türkiye may depend on his own trip

U.S. President Donald Trump has indicated that his upcoming visit to Türkiye could influence whether Russian President Vladimir Putin will also make the trip. 

“He’d like me to be there, and that’s a possibility. . … I don’t know that he would be there if I’m not there. We’re going to find out,” Trump told reporters travelling aboard Air Force One en route to Qatar, Caliber.Az reports, citing foreign media.

Trump has said he may visit Türkiye for the talks as part of his trip to the Middle East this week.

To recall, Russia and Ukraine are set to resume high-level negotiations in Istanbul on May 15, marking a renewed diplomatic effort brokered by Türkiye. These talks follow a prolonged period of stalemate, with both nations firmly entrenched on military and political fronts.

Ankara has confirmed the meeting preparations, with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan seeking to re-establish Türkiye’s mediation role, similar to its involvement in the 2022 talks that led to the now-collapsed Black Sea grain agreement.

Ukrainian officials have stressed that the talks will not involve any territorial compromises, reiterating their stance that any peace agreement must uphold Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. In contrast, Moscow has expressed a willingness to engage in dialogue, but insists that its "new realities" — including its territorial annexation claims — be recognised.

By Khagan Isayev