US President Donald Trump has announced his possible participation in the talks between Russia and Ukraine, which could take place on May 15, 2025, in Istanbul. He expressed optimism about the prospects for dialogue and did not rule out his visit to Turkey, where the parties will try to discuss ways to resolve the conflict. The statement came as Trump prepares for a Middle East tour and amid uncertainty about the participation of the Russian delegation. The US President's initiative, as analysts note, underscores his desire to play a key role in de-escalating the conflict.

Trump, commenting on the possible meeting, stressed that he sees the potential for a “good outcome.” According to him, the decision to visit Istanbul will depend on his busy schedule of international meetings, but he will consider it if he believes his presence can contribute to progress. According to Reuters, the US president expressed a desire to speed up the diplomatic process to end the fighting. Trump's statement was a continuation of his recent calls for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire, supported by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

The talks in Istanbul, proposed by Turkey, are seen as a possible platform for resuming dialogue between Moscow and Kiev. According to Hurriyet, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is actively promoting Ankara as a neutral mediator capable of organizing a summit. Turkey already served as a platform for consultations in March 2022, when the parties discussed Ukraine's neutral status, but no agreement was reached. According to the BBC, Zelensky confirmed his readiness to participate in the talks and expressed hope for Trump's presence, which could increase international pressure on Russia.

Moscow's position remains less clear. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, according to TASS, said Russia was open to dialogue but rejected any preconditions, including demands for a ceasefire. Vladimir Putin has previously stressed that talks must take into account Russia's "legitimate interests," including control over new territories, which runs counter to Kyiv's position.