There’s been much back and forth, in social media posts and breaking stories, about the Trump team’s efforts to end the hostilities between Russia and Ukraine. On Sunday, after much arm-twisting by the U.S. president, Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky agreed to a one-on-one meeting with Russian strongman Vladimir Putin on Thursday in Turkey.

Zelensky had demanded a ceasefire starting Monday before he would agree to talks. It’s unclear if Putin is going to agree to a temporary cessation of the fighting:

Putin initially proposed the Thursday meeting this weekend, and President Donald Trump prompted Zelenskyy to accept the offer. Putin said the talks in Istanbul must be held without preconditions and with the goal of lasting peace.

"We await a full and lasting ceasefire, starting from tomorrow, to provide the necessary basis for diplomacy. There is no point in prolonging the killings. And I will be waiting for Putin in Türkiye on Thursday. Personally. I hope that this time the Russians will not look for excuses," Zelenskyy wrote.

Starting tomorrow, we await a ceasefire — this proposal is on the table. A full and unconditional ceasefire, one that lasts long enough to provide a necessary foundation for diplomacy, could significantly bring peace closer. Ukraine has long proposed this, our partners are… pic.twitter.com/TVpJbldfh4

— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) May 11, 2025

Zelensky's tweet continues:

Ukraine has long proposed this, our partners are proposing it, and the whole world is calling for it. We await a clear response from Russia. 

Russia will have to end this war anyway. The killings must stop. Ukrainian forces will be ready to respond symmetrically— to ensure fairness. We have repeatedly heard from our partners that they are prepared to strengthen sanctions against Russia if Putin rejects a ceasefire. Time will tell. 

Here in Ukraine, we have absolutely no problem engaging in negotiations, we are ready for any format. I will be in Türkiye this Thursday, May 15, and I expect Putin to come to Türkiye as well. Personally. And I hope that this time, Putin won’t be looking for excuses as to why he “can’t” make it. 

We are ready to talk, to end this war. Thursday. Türkiye. President Trump has expressed support. All the leaders support this.

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Trump posted to social media on Sunday, urging Zelensky to attend the talks without preconditions:

🚨BREAKING NEWS 🚨

President Trump says Putin doesn’t want a ceasefire, but instead wants to negotiate an end to the war.

The President adds that Ukraine should agree to end this bloodbath. pic.twitter.com/1VylTZUL0I

— Breanna Morello (@BreannaMorello) May 11, 2025

The full text of his post:

President Putin of Russia doesn’t want to have a Cease Fire Agreement with Ukraine, but rather wants to meet on Thursday, in Turkey, to negotiate a possible end to the BLOODBATH. Ukraine should agree to this, IMMEDIATELY. At least they will be able to determine whether or not a deal is possible, and if it is not, European leaders, and the U.S., will know where everything stands, and can proceed accordingly! I’m starting to doubt that Ukraine will make a deal with Putin, who’s too busy celebrating the Victory of World War ll, which could not have been won (not even close!) without the United States of America. HAVE THE MEETING, NOW!!!

Putin continues to talk tough and is not exactly welcoming Zelensky with open arms. That’s hardly surprising, though, given his brutal history:

Putin has thus far offered few, if any, concessions but is now saying talks should address the root causes of the war. He said he would speak to Turkish President Tayyip Erdoğan later on Sunday about facilitating the negotiations, which he said could result in a ceasefire.

"Our proposal, as they say, is on the table," Putin said. "The decision is now up to the Ukrainian authorities and their curators, who are guided, it seems, by their personal political ambitions, and not by the interests of their peoples."

Could this meeting—if it actually happens—be the big breakthrough we've been hoping for? One would certainly hope so, but with these two temperamental and mercurial leaders together in one room, anything could happen. Perhaps they should wear mouthguards for protection. 

Team Trump has been thinking outside the box, and it’s refreshing after four years of Biden malaise.

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