Marco Rubio to attend Russia–Ukraine talks in Turkey this week
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is expected to attend the Russia–Ukraine peace talks in Turkey, President Donald Trump announced, according to the BBC.
“Negotiations will be held in Turkey later this week—probably on Thursday—and there could be positive results. Marco will be there,” President Trump said during a speech in Riyadh, as quoted by AFP.
Earlier, media reports citing anonymous sources indicated that two of Trump’s envoys, Keith Kellogg and Steve Witkoff, would also attend the talks. Trump did not rule out traveling to Turkey himself.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated on his Telegram page that “every signal is crucial. What we need is a lasting and unconditional ceasefire.”
“It’s equally important that each signal indicates the need for direct, high-level negotiations. Putin is the sole decision-maker in Russia. He alone must decide on issues related to the war. This is his war.
Today, I want to highlight the statements made by the leaders of Northern European and Baltic countries. I thank them for their support, particularly for backing the negotiations. Overall, European leaders have issued strong statements and taken decisive action. I am grateful once again for this.
We are also aware of China’s position in supporting both a ceasefire and negotiations. The United States has made it clear that the leaders need to meet face to face. Ukraine is fully prepared for genuinely productive negotiations,” Zelensky said.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has proposed holding the negotiations in Istanbul on May 15, although it remains unclear whether the talks will proceed and in what format.
President Zelensky has expressed his willingness to meet Putin in person in Istanbul but ruled out talks with lower-ranking Russian officials.
The Russian side has confirmed it will send a delegation to Istanbul but has not indicated whether Putin will attend in person.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
