Trump made his meeting with Putin a condition for advancing peace talks on Ukraine

Former US President Donald Trump, who is actively conducting his election campaign, made a resonant statement regarding the war in Ukraine. According to him, no significant progress in the peaceful settlement of the conflict will occur until he personally meets with Russian President Vladimir Putin. This position was voiced during Trump's conversation with journalists on board Air Force One, the audio recording of which was released by the White House.

"Nothing will happen with Russia and Ukraine until Putin and I meet," Trump said, making it clear that he considers himself a key player in the upcoming negotiations. According to the ex-president, neither side will have an incentive for a serious dialogue without his personal participation.

When asked about the composition of the Russian delegation participating in the talks in Istanbul, Trump admitted that he was not familiar with the details and therefore had no reason to be disappointed. His comments contrast sharply with the official position of Ukraine, which expressed concern about the low level of representation from Russia, seeing this as the Kremlin’s unwillingness to conduct substantive negotiations.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, after arriving in Turkey, said that the Ukrainian delegation was represented at the highest level, while the Russian one, in his assessment, was of a “sham” nature. He stressed that Kyiv was still determining its further steps, given Moscow’s behavior.

Donald Trump was also expected to participate in the talks in Turkey on May 15, but he canceled his visit after it became known that Vladimir Putin would not be part of the Russian delegation. In Trump’s place, the US is represented by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, as well as special envoys Steve Witkoff and Keith Kellogg.

Commenting on Putin’s absence, Trump expressed surprise: “Why would he go if I’m not there? I didn’t think it was possible for Putin to do it if I wasn’t there. I didn’t plan to, but I would have gone.” His words indicate a desire to regain his status as the world’s arbiter in major geopolitical conflicts — even before he officially returns to the White House.