Trump Doubts Ukraine-Russia Ceasefire Ahead of Turkey Talks

Very shortly after, US President Donald Trump signaled on Sunday that he was starting to doubt whether there would be a ceasefire agreement between Ukraine and Russia after President Volodymyr Zelenskyy agreed to meet with Vladimir Putin in Turkey.

This will be the first meeting between the leaders of the two countries since Russia started its invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Donald Trump the U.S President who has demanded both sides to reach a peace agreement tweeted on Truth Social that Russia’s president Putin does not want peace in Ukraine.

"I'm starting to doubt that Ukraine will make a deal with Putin," Trump wrote on Truth Social. “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. Truth said that meeting would mean the two parties, as well as European leaders and the US, would then be able to determine whether or not a deal is possible."

After some stern threats from Ukraine’s key European allies, of more sanctions if Russia didn’t agree to a 30-day ceasefire, Putin offered talks. Trump was supportive, according to Germany’s new chancellor, Friedrich Merz. In his late-night speech, Putin did not indicate the ultimatum issued, but offered that Turkey should be hosting direct negotiations with Ukraine this Thursday. For the first time since the invasion began, Putin has announced ceasefire. Its allies in turn reiterated on Sunday that it was impossible to discuss further until Putin promises to agree to an unconditional end to hostilities. However, they relented after Trump wrote on Truth Social: "Have the meeting, now".

Within an hour, Zelensky said he was prepared to meet with Putin this week. "I will be waiting for Putin in Turkiye on Thursday. Personally, I hope that this time the Russians will not look for excuses," Zelenskyy said on Sunday on X.