US delegation to head to Istanbul for talks

A US delegation, including US President Donald Trump's ambassador Steve Witkoff and adviser Keith Kellogg, will head to Istanbul for talks aimed at finding ways to end the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. Reuters reported.

The meeting is said to be aimed at promoting a peaceful resolution to the months-long conflict with serious geopolitical implications.

Istanbul talks: what's known

Prominent European leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, visited Kyiv on the first day of May. They took part in a meeting of countries that are part of the Coalition of the Willing.

After the talks, the leaders expressed support for a 30-day full ceasefire, which was to begin on May 12. If such an agreement is not implemented, Ukraine's partners have threatened to impose new, more stringent sanctions against the Russian Federation.

Reaction of Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelensky

On the night of May 11, Russian President Vladimir Putin made a statement offering direct talks with Ukraine in Turkey next week. However, he ignored the proposal for a 30-day ceasefire.

Volodymyr Zelensky, in turn, replied that he would expect Vladimir Putin "personally" in Istanbul on May 15. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan promised to provide support in organizing direct peace talks between Russia and Ukraine.

Support from the US President

US President Donald Trump also expressed his readiness to personally join the talks between Ukraine and Russia, emphasizing the importance of a peaceful settlement of the conflict.

The talks in Istanbul are becoming a key initiative in finding a peaceful solution to the conflict in eastern Ukraine. International participants are actively demonstrating their support and willingness to take joint actions to achieve stability in the region.