U.S. President Donald Trump has urged Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin this Thursday in Istanbul. Trump says it’s time to talk to stop the war.
The call came on Sunday, May 11, through a post on Trump’s social media platform, Truth Social. Trump wrote that Putin does not want a ceasefire deal right now. Instead, Putin wants to meet face-to-face in Turkey to end the violence. Trump said Zelensky should accept this offer without delay.
Zelensky has already made a request. He wants Russia to agree to a 30-day ceasefire starting Monday. He believes this is needed before any direct talks.
Trump, however, believes a meeting is the best way forward. He said if they meet in Istanbul, they can find out if a peace deal is even possible. If not, the U.S. and other European leaders will at least know where things stand and act accordingly.
Trump also shared doubts about Ukraine’s true intentions. “I now wonder if Ukraine really wants peace,” he said. He pointed out that Putin is busy with Russia’s World War II victory celebrations. Yet, Trump added, Russia could not have won that war without U.S. help.
“This is the time to meet,” Trump wrote. He stressed that ending the bloodshed must be the top goal.
This push comes after weeks of rising tension. Russia and Ukraine have both suffered heavy losses. Millions have been displaced. Cities are in ruins. The world is watching and hoping for a breakthrough.
Zelensky, in a separate post, said he is open to talks. He mentioned that he would be waiting for Putin in Turkey on Thursday. He called for a full and lasting ceasefire starting Monday. “It will lay the ground for real talks,” he wrote. “There is no sense in more deaths.”
Zelensky said that an unconditional truce will bring both sides closer to peace. His message was clear: the time to act is now.
Still, Russia has not made any public comment on a possible meeting. But Trump’s post suggests that Putin is ready to talk.
Trump’s role in this is being closely watched. Some say he is trying to take credit for future peace. Others believe he truly wants to help.
In the past, Trump had a mixed record with global diplomacy. Yet, in this case, he seems focused on stopping the war.
World leaders are also reacting. Some welcome the idea of talks in Turkey. Others remain cautious. The war has taken many turns, and peace efforts have failed before.
But this time feels different. Both sides are under pressure. The cost of war keeps growing.
If the meeting in Istanbul happens, it could mark a new step. Or it could fail like past efforts.
Still, the world hopes. Talks are better than bombs.
Trump ended his post with a strong message: “Meet now.”