Erdogan Calls for Putin and Zelenskyy Meeting in Istanbul with Trump’s Presence

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan described the meeting between the delegations of Ukraine and Russia as ‘exceptional’ regarding the end of the war. He expressed his greatest wish to have the leaders of both countries, Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelenskyy, meet in Turkey, with Donald Trump present. Speaking after a cabinet meeting in Ankara, Erdogan stated that following today’s meeting at the former Çırağan Palace in Istanbul, the number of prisoners to be exchanged will exceed one thousand, surpassing the number exchanged after the first meeting on May 16th. Additionally, an agreement was reached for the repatriation of thousands of soldiers from both Russian and Ukrainian sides. Erdogan emphasized the significance of the ongoing negotiations taking place in Istanbul, expressing pride in Turkey’s role: ‘Thank God, Turkey with Istanbul has become a pivotal point in this matter.’ He further expressed his desire to bring both Putin and Zelenskyy together in Istanbul or Ankara, along with Trump, aiming to transform Istanbul into a peace hub.