Tue May 13 14:48:30 IST 2025: **News Article:**
**Trump Considers Joining Ukraine-Russia Talks in Turkey, Zelenskyy Urges Putin’s Presence**
Istanbul, Turkey – Former U.S. President Donald Trump is considering joining direct talks between Ukraine and Russia in Istanbul this Thursday, following a proposal by Russian President Vladimir Putin. The initiative was welcomed by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who insisted that Putin also attend the meeting in person.
“All of us in Ukraine would appreciate it if President Trump could be there with us at this meeting in Turkey. This is the right idea. We can change a lot,” Zelenskyy said.
Zelenskyy has publicly agreed to attend the talks if Putin also participates in person. Mykhailo Podolyak, an adviser to Zelenskyy, reiterated that Zelenskyy would only meet with Putin and no other members of the Russian delegation.
The Kremlin has not yet commented on whether Putin will travel to Turkey. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated that Russia is “committed to a serious search for ways of a long-term peaceful settlement.”
A meeting between Zelenskyy and Putin would be their first face-to-face encounter since December 2019.
Meanwhile, despite proposed ceasefire efforts, fighting continues on the front lines. Ukraine’s military reported that it had destroyed all 10 drones launched by Russia overnight, a lower number than in recent weeks. There were 133 clashes with Russian forces along the front line since midnight on Monday, when the proposed ceasefire was to have come into effect, particularly in the Donetsk region and Russia’s Kursk region. Russia accused Ukraine of attacking its Belgorod region with drones and ammunition.
First Piper 