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No Progress in Ukraine-Russia Peace Talks Without Meeting Putin, Says Trump
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![Photo of Dariia Mykhailenko]( "Photo of Dariia Mykhailenko")
US President Donald Trump has stated that peace negotiations between Ukraine and Russia will not advance until he meets directly with Russian leader Vladimir Putin.
Speaking to journalists aboard Air Force One shortly before landing in Dubai, Trump emphasized the importance of a face-to-face meeting:
"Nothing's going to happen until Putin and I get together," as quoted by Reuters, on May 15.
Trump previously indicated he might join the talks on May 16 if there is meaningful progress. He dismissed concerns over Putin’s absence on the first day, stating, "Why would he go if I'm not going?"
Earlier on May 15, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived in Ankara for discussions with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. Following the meeting, Zelenskyy is expected to outline the next steps regarding dialogue with Russia.
The Ukrainian delegation to Turkey includes Head of the Presidential Office Andrii Yermak, Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, Diplomatic Advisor Ihor Zhovkva, Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, Head of the Security Service of Ukraine Vasyl Maliuk, and representatives from the Defense Forces and intelligence agencies.
Meanwhile, the Kremlin confirmed that Russian President Vladimir Putin will not attend the negotiations. Instead, he has delegated his aide Vladimir Medinsky, Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin, Deputy Defense Minister Alexander Fomin, and Head of the Main Directorate of the General Staff Igor Kostyukov to Istanbul.
