Meeting between Ukraine and Russia in Istanbul is extremely important: Trump shares his expectations
Photo: Donald Trump, US President (Getty Images)
A possible meeting between Ukraine and Russia on Thursday, May 15, should lead to good results. The bloodshed must be stopped, states US President Donald Trump during a conversation with journalists.
"The Thursday meeting with Russia and Ukraine is very important. I insisted that this meeting take place. I think something good could come out of that meeting. To stop the bloodshed — it's horrible, it's a bloodbath," the US leader said.
According to him, Ukrainian and Russian soldiers are killing each other on a scale not seen since World War II, and the killing continues every week.
"A lot of drone fighting. It’s a whole new form of warfare. It’s violent and vicious," he added.
Putin’s proposal
On May 11, Russian President Vladimir Putin proposed that Ukraine resume direct negotiations. He wants a meeting between the Ukrainian and Russian delegations to take place on May 15 in Istanbul.
In response, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized that he is ready to personally come to Istanbul on May 15 for talks with Putin. He also stressed that a ceasefire must begin today, May 12, and last for at least 30 days.
Putin made this proposal against the backdrop of a Western ultimatum. German government representative Stefan Kornelius stated that Russia must respond to the proposal for a 30-day truce with Ukraine by the end of the day. If it refuses, Europe will tighten sanctions.
