The White House has expressed that former President Donald Trump is “open” to an invitation from Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan to hold three-way peace talks in Turkey, involving both Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Erdoğan reaffirmed his willingness to facilitate such a meeting, emphasizing Turkey’s role in promoting dialogue among the involved parties.
During a second round of discussions held in Istanbul, Ukrainian and Russian representatives had minimal success, agreeing only on the exchange of prisoners of war and the return of fallen soldiers’ remains. Ukraine’s Defence Minister Rustem Umerov, who led the negotiations for Ukraine, noted that the only tangible outcome was the progress made on prisoner exchanges, including a list of nearly 400 Ukrainian children he hopes will be returned from Russia.
Umerov highlighted the necessity of a ceasefire, which Ukraine has consistently demanded. The Russian delegation suggested a short ceasefire of two to three days to allow for the collection of soldiers’ bodies but rejected an unconditional ceasefire put forth by Ukraine. The situation remains delicate, with both sides still facing significant disagreements over the terms of a potential settlement, particularly Moscow’s insistence on recognizing annexed territories.
Amid these ongoing tensions, Erdoğan’s call for the three leaders to meet underscores a diplomatic effort to find common ground and inch toward peace. The willingness of Trump to participate in this discussion may open new avenues for dialogue, showcasing Turkey’s strategic role in the conflict resolution process.
In a hopeful context, the potential for a meeting in Turkey signals a willingness to negotiate, which, although fraught with challenges, can pave the way for a diplomatic resolution to the ongoing conflict.