Trump is considering visiting Turkey on Thursday to support Ukrainian-Russian talks.
US President Donald Trump announced on Monday, May 12, that he is considering traveling to Turkey on Thursday to participate in potential talks between Ukraine and Russia, emphasizing that his decision will depend on the effectiveness of this step.
This came during his remarks to journalists at the White House before leaving for Saudi Arabia at the beginning of a Gulf tour.
Trump added: "In fact, I have thought about traveling there. I don't know where I will be on Thursday. I have many meetings, but I thought about boarding the plane to go there. There is a possibility, I believe, if I see that things will happen."
The US President expected that the Thursday meeting in Turkey between the Russian and Ukrainian sides would lead to positive results, saying: "I think that the Thursday meeting in Turkey between Russia and Ukraine may yield a positive result, and I think the two leaders will attend," referring to Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Responding to a question about imposing sanctions on Russia if it refuses to cease fire for 30 days, Trump replied: "I have a feeling that they will agree. Yes, I have a feeling."
The US State Department praised Turkish efforts in hosting the talks, announcing that Secretary of State Mike Pompeo spoke with his Turkish counterpart Mevlut Cavusoglu, thanking Turkey for "hosting and facilitating direct negotiations between Russia and Ukraine." Pompeo, who is accompanying Trump on his Gulf tour, also welcomed the "possibility of an immediate ceasefire."
The idea of holding direct talks between Moscow and Kiev, the first since the early months of the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022, was welcomed by Washington and European countries.
The war has resulted in tens of thousands of deaths and millions of displaced persons, while the Russian army currently controls about a fifth of Ukrainian territory, including the Crimean Peninsula annexed by Russia in 2014.
The US State Department statement indicated that Pompeo and Cavusoglu also discussed preparations for the upcoming meeting of NATO foreign ministers, scheduled to be held in Antalya, southwest Turkey.
It is expected that Pompeo will participate in the Thursday meeting, which will discuss developments in the Ukrainian war and preparations for the NATO summit scheduled to be held in June in the Netherlands.
