Tuesday, June 3, 2025 - The White House has confirmed that former U.S. President Donald Trump is open to meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Turkey, as efforts to reach a ceasefire continue.
While delegations from both sides made no breakthrough in
their latest talks, held in Istanbul, they did agree on a large-scale prisoner
exchange. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has proposed a third round of
high-level talks later this month in either Istanbul or Ankara, involving
Trump, Putin, and Zelensky.
Putin has so far declined the invitation, while Zelensky has
expressed readiness, stating that crucial issues can only be resolved at the
leaders’ level.
“Trump is
open to it if it comes to that,” said White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt,
adding that the former president wants both leaders to engage directly.
Zelensky, speaking after the talks, urged Trump to take
stronger action and intensify sanctions on Russia to encourage a full
ceasefire. He emphasized that the aggressor must not be rewarded for war.
During Monday’s meeting, Ukraine reported that Moscow
rejected its call for an unconditional ceasefire, instead offering a limited
truce of two to three days in select frontline areas. Russia continues to
demand Ukrainian withdrawal from four partially occupied regions—Donetsk,
Lugansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson—alongside a ban on NATO membership and an
end to Western military aid.
Despite the political deadlock, both sides agreed to a
significant prisoner swap involving at least 1,000 severely wounded and young
fighters. They also arranged the return of the bodies of 6,000 fallen soldiers.
Ukraine is reviewing a new document from Russian negotiators
outlining conditions for a broader peace deal. Kyiv maintains that a lasting
agreement is only possible after a full pause in hostilities across air, sea,
and land.
The meeting was described as “constructive” by Turkish
Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, who confirmed that preparations are underway for
a potential summit involving the three leaders.
Since Russia’s invasion began, tens of thousands have been
killed, and millions displaced, creating Europe’s largest refugee crisis since
World War II. Meanwhile, Ukraine claimed responsibility for a bold drone strike
on Russian airbases, reportedly damaging around 40 strategic bombers valued at
$7 billion.
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