In a bold diplomatic move, U.S. President Donald Trump is dispatching two of his senior envoys, Steve Witkoff and retired General Keith Kellogg, to Istanbul this Thursday for possible peace talks aimed at ending the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine, according to three individuals familiar with the plans.
However, uncertainty looms as it’s still unclear whether any Russian officials — including President Vladimir Putin — will attend the discussions. A senior U.S. official told Reuters that Moscow has yet to confirm participation, and no announcements are expected until early Thursday.
The talks, if they happen, could mark a significant turning point in efforts to resolve a war that began with Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The conflict has since claimed the lives of hundreds of thousands of soldiers on both sides and displaced millions of civilians.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has made it clear that he will only attend the meeting if Putin is present. According to one of his aides, Zelenskiy’s participation hinges on Moscow’s demonstration of genuine intent to pursue peace.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov remained vague when questioned about who might represent Russia, saying only, “As soon as the president sees fit, we will announce it.”
Meanwhile, Trump has not ruled out his own attendance at the talks. Currently traveling in the Middle East, he has met with leaders from Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar. On Monday, Trump said he would fly to Istanbul personally if the negotiations require his presence.
Behind the scenes, U.S. and European officials are pushing for a comprehensive 30-day ceasefire that would cover land, air, sea, and critical infrastructure. According to a senior U.S. official, Ukraine has already agreed to the ceasefire terms. The proposal is reportedly receiving support from several European nations.
If Russia declines the offer, European Union leaders are prepared to escalate sanctions, targeting Moscow’s so-called “shadow fleet” — a clandestine network used to evade sanctions and trade restrictions. The pressure is mounting on Putin to come to the table or face steeper economic penalties.
So far, there has been no comment from the White House, State Department, National Security Council, or Witkoff’s office. But anticipation is building, with the world watching closely to see whether this surprise diplomatic effort will break the deadlock in one of the 21st century’s most devastating conflicts.
