The White House has confirmed that former U.S. President Donald Trump is open to meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Turkey, as efforts to reach a ceasefire continue.
While delegations from both sides made no breakthrough in their latest talks, held in Istanbul, they did agree on a large-scale prisoner exchange. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has proposed a third round of high-level talks later this month in either Istanbul or Ankara, involving Trump, Putin, and Zelensky.
Putin has so far declined the invitation, while Zelensky has expressed readiness, stating that crucial issues can only be resolved at the leaders’ level.
“Trump is open to it if it comes to that,” said White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt, adding that the former president wants both leaders to engage directly.
Zelensky, speaking after the talks, urged Trump to take stronger action and intensify sanctions on Russia to encourage a full ceasefire. He emphasized that the aggressor must not be rewarded for war.
During Monday’s meeting, Ukraine reported that Moscow rejected its call for an unconditional ceasefire, instead offering a limited truce of two to three days in select frontline areas. Russia continues to demand Ukrainian withdrawal from four partially occupied regions—Donetsk, Lugansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson—alongside a ban on NATO membership and an end to Western military aid.
Despite the political deadlock, both sides agreed to a significant prisoner swap involving at least 1,000 severely wounded and young fighters. They also arranged the return of the bodies of 6,000 fallen soldiers.
Ukraine is reviewing a new document from Russian negotiators outlining conditions for a broader peace deal. Kyiv maintains that a lasting agreement is only possible after a full pause in hostilities across air, sea, and land.
The meeting was described as “constructive” by Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, who confirmed that preparations are underway for a potential summit involving the three leaders.
Since Russia’s invasion began, tens of thousands have been killed, and millions displaced, creating Europe’s largest refugee crisis since World War II. Meanwhile, Ukraine claimed responsibility for a bold drone strike on Russian airbases, reportedly damaging around 40 strategic bombers valued at $7 billion.
