Amid renewed calls for a negotiated settlement to the ongoing war in Ukraine, US President Donald Trump has signaled a strong willingness to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin “as soon as it can be set up.” Speaking to reporters during a stop in the United Arab Emirates on May 16, part of his Middle East tour, Trump emphasized his intention to intervene diplomatically and reinvigorate the stalled peace process between Moscow and Kiev.
“We’re going to get it done,” Trump declared when pressed on whether a meeting with Putin was imminent. “It’s time for us to just do it.” He added that while the world is already a “much safer place,” the situation could improve dramatically within “two to three weeks,” hinting at what he sees as a crucial window for meaningful progress.
Sebastian Gorka, a deputy assistant to Trump and a key figure in shaping his foreign policy messaging, later confirmed that a face-to-face meeting between the US and Russian leaders is indeed “imminent.” Speaking at a security summit hosted by Politico, Gorka stated, “Deals are all about timing. When the time is right, that’s when the president is in the room with Putin.”
Though he did not provide a specific date or location, Gorka’s comments reinforce Trump’s sense of urgency and the belief that only high-level diplomacy can break the current impasse in Ukraine. “The right moment is imminent,” Gorka stressed, suggesting that preparatory discussions are already underway behind the scenes.
Trump’s renewed push for diplomacy comes as Russia and Ukraine prepare to resume long-dormant peace talks in Türkiye. These discussions, often referred to as the “Istanbul talks,” were initially launched in early 2022 but broke down within months due to fundamental disagreements and battlefield escalations.
Russian President Vladimir Putin recently signaled his interest in reviving these negotiations, prompting delegations from both countries to prepare for a new round of dialogue. While initial confusion and delays clouded the process-Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky did not appoint his delegation until late on May 15-the talks are now expected to begin on May 16, according to Russian news agency TASS.
Zelensky had initially demanded that Putin himself attend the talks in Türkiye, even offering to personally travel there to meet him. However, the Kremlin declined, noting that the Russian president had no plans to go, especially since Trump-whom both sides acknowledge as a potential mediator-had also not confirmed his attendance.
Trump had hinted at a possible trip to Türkiye on May 16, conditional on “something happening,” an apparent reference to a breakthrough or at least some movement in the diplomatic channels. While the former president ultimately did not make the journey, his continued statements have kept him central to the evolving situation.
Trump’s approach suggests a desire to broker an agreement akin to his diplomatic efforts with North Korea’s Kim Jong-un or his controversial engagement with Saudi Arabia. Supporters argue that Trump’s style-unconventional but often direct-could be the missing ingredient in a peace process bogged down by rigid positions and mutual distrust.
Russia has reiterated that its core demands for any peace agreement remain unchanged since the talks collapsed in 2022. Chief among them is Ukraine’s ambition to join NATO, which Moscow sees as a red line and a direct threat to its national security. “Lasting peace can only be achieved by addressing the conflict’s root causes,” a Kremlin spokesperson said, reaffirming the centrality of this issue.
Meanwhile, Ukraine remains firm in its stance on sovereignty, territorial integrity, and the withdrawal of Russian forces from occupied regions, including Crimea and the Donbas. These clashing visions of peace have made compromise elusive, even as both sides continue to suffer devastating losses.
Since taking office in January, Trump has made no secret of his frustration with the glacial pace of diplomatic efforts to end the war. His Middle East tour has partly served as a platform to promote a broader vision of regional stability, but it’s clear that Ukraine remains at the top of his international agenda.
According to administration insiders, Trump views the current situation as a diplomatic vacuum he can fill, leveraging his personal relationships and global stature to bring both Putin and Zelensky to the table.
“President Trump believes this war should have never happened in the first place,” one senior aide said. “He wants it to end-quickly, decisively, and on terms that prevent future escalations.”
Despite Trump’s overtures, skepticism remains high. Critics argue that the former president’s transactional approach to diplomacy could undermine complex multilateral efforts and alienate NATO allies. Others point to his past praise of Putin and question his ability to act as a neutral broker.
In Ukraine, opinion is sharply divided. While some see Trump’s involvement as a potential way out of a grinding war, others fear it could lead to concessions on sovereignty and security guarantees that are unacceptable to the Ukrainian public and parliament.
Moscow, too, is watching closely. While Putin may welcome a chance to reset relations with Washington, especially if it allows Russia to legitimize its demands, he is unlikely to yield on key issues unless he senses a strategic advantage.
The next few weeks could be pivotal. If Trump follows through with a meeting, it could inject new momentum into the peace process. At minimum, his diplomatic activity may force both sides to clarify their positions and restart substantive dialogue.
Global markets and international observers will be paying close attention. The war in Ukraine has had far-reaching consequences, from energy instability in Europe to shifts in global food supply chains. A negotiated resolution-even a partial one-would be a major geopolitical event.
For Trump, the stakes are also personal. Success could bolster his image as a global peacemaker ahead of the US elections, while failure could reinforce criticisms of his foreign policy unpredictability.
But for now, the world watches and waits, as two of its most powerful leaders edge closer to what could be one of the most consequential meetings in recent history.
As Trump put it himself: “It’s time to just do it.” Whether that rhetoric translates into results remains to be seen.
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Tajul Islam is a Special Correspondent of Blitz.
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