As Russia and Ukraine prepare for possible direct talks, cue President Trump

This combination of pictures created on Monday shows a photograph distributed by Russia’s state agency Sputnik showing Russian President Vladimir Putin during an interview with RIA Novosti news agency at the Kremlin on March 12, 2024, and a picture of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during a summit in Singapore on June 2, 2024. Gavriil Grigorovnhac and Nhac Nguyen/AFP via Getty Images hide caption toggle caption Gavriil Grigorovnhac and Nhac Nguyen/AFP via Getty Images MOSCOW and KYIV — Efforts to halt, or perhaps even end, the war in Ukraine hit a new phase this week — when it appears at least someone from Russia and someone else from Ukraine will gather in Turkey for their first direct talks since the early months of the Kremlin’s full-scale invasion in 2022. If that sounds vague it’s because it is. At this point, only Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says he will be in Turkey on Thursday no matter what, likely with a delegation. The Russian side could include mid-level diplomats. Or more senior Kremlin envoys. Or President Vladimir Putin. Sponsor Message Adding intrigue: President Trump says he may even make a cameo. For all the “great television” Trump’s possible participation could bring, the American leader has also expressed hope that Europe’s deadliest war since World War II — what Trump calls a “bloodbath” — will finally end. Unilateral Russian “ceasefire” The latest diplomatic maneuvering began in late April when Putin unilaterally announced a three-day ceasefire to mark World War II Victory Day celebrations in Russia last week. Ukraine invasion — explained Putin wants a 3-day ceasefire for WWII anniversary next month. Ukraine says why wait? World Russia marks the 80th anniversary of the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany Russia marks the 80th anniversary of the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany Listen · 3:57 3:57 Transcript Download