Trump Eyes Putin Summit to Break Russia-Ukraine War Deadlock

President Donald Trump, fresh off a Middle East tour, is pushing for a face-to-face meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin to tackle the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war. Speaking from Abu Dhabi on Friday, Trump emphasized urgency, stating, "It’s time to just do it." He believes his presence is key to breaking the stalemate, especially after Putin skipped peace talks in Istanbul proposed by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Trump’s confidence stems from his prediction that Putin would only attend talks if he himself were there. "I said if I don’t go, Putin’s not going. And he didn’t," Trump told reporters. While no firm timeline was set, he insisted the meeting would happen "as soon as we can set it up."

In Istanbul, lower-level delegations from both nations—Ukraine’s led by Defense Minister Rustem Umerov and Russia’s by aide Vladimir Medinsky—are meeting, but expectations for progress are low. The war, now over three years long, sees both sides entrenched. Ukraine supports a U.S.-backed 30-day ceasefire, while Russia’s conditions remain rigid, with reports of a looming Russian offensive adding tension.

Zelenskyy, frustrated by Russia’s "theater prop" delegation, still sent a team to show commitment to peace. Meanwhile, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, speaking in Antalya, tempered hopes, saying only a Trump-Putin summit could yield a breakthrough. Diplomatic efforts continue, with Turkey hosting related talks involving U.S. and Ukrainian officials.