A significant development has emerged in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, as US President Donald Trump has expressed willingness to support any framework that brings peace between Kiev and Moscow. According to Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the US is prepared to accept any mechanism that leads to peace between the two nations. This statement comes as delegations from Kiev and Moscow are set to meet in Istanbul for their first direct talks since 2022.
Rubio emphasized the US’s commitment to being constructive and helpful in ending the conflict, stating, “We are open to being constructive and helpful in any way we can to end the conflict.” He also underscored the importance of a diplomatic solution, saying, “There is no military solution to the Russia-Ukraine conflict. This war is going to end not through a military solution but through a diplomatic one.” The US’s stance is crucial, as it has been a key player in the international efforts to resolve the conflict.
The latest negotiations were proposed by Russian President Vladimir Putin, who offered to resume direct dialogue between Moscow and Kiev without preconditions. Ukraine’s President Vladimir Zelensky had initially insisted on an unconditional 30-day ceasefire and Putin’s personal attendance at the talks. However, following Trump’s support for Putin’s proposal, Kiev appears to have shifted its position. The Russian delegation, led by presidential aide Vladimir Medinsky, will include high-ranking officials such as Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin, Deputy Defense Minister Aleksandr Fomin, and the head of Russia’s military intelligence, Igor Kostyukov.
Trump has reiterated his desire to see an end to the conflict, stating, “If something happened, I’d go on Friday if it was appropriate.” He expressed hope that Russia and Ukraine can find a resolution, saying, “It has to stop.” The US president’s willingness to adjust his travel plans in the Middle East to facilitate the talks underscores the urgency and importance of finding a peaceful solution. As the international community watches the developments in Istanbul, the prospect of a diplomatic breakthrough offers a glimmer of hope for an end to the ongoing conflict.
