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 secure a ceasefire continue.
Although recent talks in Istanbul between delegations from both sides yielded no major breakthrough, they did agree on a large-scale prisoner exchange. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has proposed a third round of high-level discussions later this month, potentially in Istanbul or Ankara, involving Trump, Putin, and Zelensky.
So far, Putin has declined the invitation, while Zelensky has expressed willingness, emphasizing that critical 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 hopes for direct engagement between the two leaders.
Following the talks, Zelensky urged Trump to take stronger action by intensifying sanctions on Russia to encourage a full ceasefire, stressing 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 proposing 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—along with a ban on NATO membership and a halt to Western military aid.
Despite the political stalemate, both sides agreed to a significant prisoner swap involving at least 1,000 severely wounded and young fighters, as well as the return of the bodies of 6,000 fallen soldiers.
Ukraine is currently reviewing a new document from Russian negotiators outlining conditions for a broader peace deal. Kyiv insists that a lasting agreement requires a full pause in hostilities across air, sea, and land.
The meeting was described as “constructive” by Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, who confirmed 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 daring drone strike on Russian airbases, reportedly damaging around 40 strategic bombers valued at $7 billion.
