Trump on Talks with Putin: No Progress Without Meeting
15 May 2025 17:09
U.S. President Donald Trump stated that there will be no progress in negotiations about Ukraine until he personally meets with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Source: Reuters, White House Press Office
Details: While speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One just before landing in Dubai, Trump mentioned that he knows nothing about the meeting in Turkey and the composition of the Russian delegation.
He emphasized that no advancements would occur without his direct meeting with the Russian leader.
Direct Quote: "Nothing will happen until we meet with Putin".
Background:
- Vladimir Putin late on May 14 confirmed the composition of the delegation for negotiations with Ukraine in Turkey on May 15, but he himself was not included in the list.
- Media reported that Trump also would not travel to Turkey, although he previously indicated that he was "considering" a visit if Putin attended.
- Later, Trump stated that he is willing to arrive in Istanbul on Friday to discuss the Russia-Ukraine war.
- On May 15, President Volodymyr Zelensky arrived in Turkey for talks with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Kremlin representatives. According to Zelensky, Ukraine arrived for high-level negotiations, but news from Moscow about the delegation's composition suggests that Russia prepared for talks at a "token level".
- Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated that dictator Vladimir Putin would not travel to Istanbul for negotiations with the Ukrainian delegation.
- NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said that Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin ignored the opportunity to start peace talks in Istanbul, which Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was ready for, instead sending a low-level delegation.
