Despite the failure of much-hyped peace talks between Ukraine and Russia in Istanbul, US President Donald Trump believes a deal is possible. The White House chief of staff says peace can only be achieved under his leadership, while stressing that Putin is tired of the war in Ukraine.
According to Trump, a meeting between the two is needed as soon as possible.
"I have a very good relationship with Putin. I believe we will reach an agreement. We should sit down together and I think we should probably schedule a meeting because I'm tired of sending other people and everything else."
The president also announced the possibility of new sanctions in the event of failure of negotiations, including secondary measures against countries that continue to buy Russian oil.
Trump's statement comes hours after the first direct talks between Moscow and Kiev in 3 years, mediated by Turkey.
The meeting between the delegations of the two countries in Istanbul lasted less than two hours. Russia expressed satisfaction with the talks, but the only achievement was an agreement to exchange 1,000 prisoners of war, which would be the largest to date.
Kiev, which wants the West to impose tougher sanctions on Moscow if Putin does not agree to a 90-day ceasefire, has begun lobbying allies for stronger action against Russia. Shortly after the talks ended, Zelenky, who was at the European Political Community summit in Tirana, said on the social network X that he had spoken by phone with Trump, the leaders of France, Germany and Poland.
He said Ukraine was ready to take quick steps towards real peace, while calling for tough sanctions if Russia refuses a full and unconditional ceasefire. Turkish officials said no location or date had been set for the new talks, and that delegations would first have to report to their leaders.
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