Trump says he may meet Putin, Zelensky in Istanbul: ‘I would fly there’

While speaking to reporters on Monday, Trump made the comment regarding a planned meeting between Zelensky and Putin in Turkey: "They couldn't get a meeting because one said ceasefire, one said no ceasefire, it was going back and forth. I said, 'Look, at this point we gotta stop it. Just go to the meeting. The meeting's been set. Go to the meeting on Thursday.' And if I thought it would be helpful — I don't know where I'm going to be at that particular point, I'll be someplace in the Middle East — but I would fly there if I thought it would be helpful."

Zelensky said in response to Trump's comments to reporters, "I have just heard President Trump's statement. Very important words. I supported [Trump's] idea of a full and unconditional ceasefire — long enough to provide the foundation for diplomacy. And we want it, we are ready to uphold silence on our end. I supported President Trump with the idea of direct talks with Putin. I have openly expressed my readiness to meet. I will be in Türkiye. I hope that the Russians will not evade the meeting."

Over the weekend, Zelensky and Putin said that they would be meeting in Turkey on Thursday after Putin proposed that he and Zelensky have direct talks in the country and Trump demanded that the negotiations take place.

EU countries pressured Russia on Saturday, saying that if Russia did not agree to a 30-day ceasefire, then there would be "massive" sanctions placed on the country. Following the pressure, Putin ignored the ceasefire proposal and instead held a press conference where he proposed that Ukraine and Russia hold "direct talks" in Turkey, per CNN.

Over the course of Sunday, allies to Ukraine were still pushing for the ceasefire before a meeting could be held, however, Trump posted on Truth Social later that day, "President Putin of Russia doesn’t want to have a Cease Fire Agreement with Ukraine, but rather wants to meet on Thursday, in Turkey, to negotiate a possible end to the BLOODBATH. Ukraine should agree to this, IMMEDIATELY. At least they will be able to determine whether or not a deal is possible, and if it is not, European leaders, and the U.S., will know where everything stands, and can proceed accordingly! I’m starting to doubt that Ukraine will make a deal with Putin, who’s too busy celebrating the Victory of World War ll, which could not have been won (not even close!) without the United States of America. HAVE THE MEETING, NOW!!!"

Zelensky then said he was prepared to meet with Putin within an hour of Trump making the post. “I will be waiting for Putin in Türkiye on Thursday. Personally. I hope that this time the Russians will not look for excuses,” Zelensky wrote on X.