Donald Trump on Wednesday said meaningful progress in ending the war in Ukraine is unlikely until he meets face-to-face with Russian President Vladimir Putin, as both leaders confirmed they will skip the first direct Russia-Ukraine peace talks in three years set to happen in Turkey.
“Nothing’s going to happen until Putin and I get together,” Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One en route to Dubai.
His comments came after the Kremlin announced it would send a team of technocrats, not senior officials, to Thursday’s talks in Turkey. Trump, who earlier suggested he might attend, ultimately decided to stay out. A senior US official confirmed the president would not travel to Istanbul.
With both Trump and Putin absent, expectations for a breakthrough have plummeted. US and Ukrainian officials had hoped for momentum toward a 30-day ceasefire, but Russia’s downgraded delegation has cast doubt on the Kremlin’s willingness to engage meaningfully.
