Istanbul Set to Host Crucial Russia–Ukraine Peace Talks with US Involvement
May could mark a turning point in the ongoing Russia–Ukraine conflict, as Türkiye prepares to host potential high-level peace negotiations in Istanbul, involving leaders from Russia, Ukraine, and the United States.
According to international reports, Donald Trump’s envoys — Steve Witkoff and General Keith Kellogg — are expected to arrive in Türkiye in the coming days. Trump has confirmed that U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio will also take part, stating, “There could be a good outcome in Türkiye, and Rubio will be there.”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has confirmed his readiness for a direct meeting with Vladimir Putin in Türkiye. Talks with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan are scheduled for Thursday, May 15, in Ankara. Zelensky said he hopes Putin agrees to a one-on-one dialogue and sees Trump’s participation as a potential incentive.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov declined to disclose the Russian delegation’s composition, stating that President Putin will announce it “when he deems necessary.” Meanwhile, U.S. sources do not expect any official update from Russia until Thursday morning.
Should the meeting occur, it would be the first direct conversation between Putin and Zelensky since the outbreak of the full-scale war. The involvement of senior U.S. officials may give the negotiations fresh momentum amid global uncertainty.
