Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan, following a recent meeting with Russia’s Vladimir Putin, expressed optimism about engaging in talks with US President Donald Trump on a peace initiative between Ukraine and Russia, emphasizing that the prospect of peace is within reach. Erdogan and Putin met in Turkmenistan and discussed efforts toward achieving a comprehensive peace agreement to end the conflict, with Turkey reaffirming its commitment to supporting peace initiatives. Erdogan mentioned to reporters during his return flight that he looks forward to discussing the peace plan with President Trump, highlighting the potential for peace based on recent developments.
During the meeting with Putin, Erdogan proposed the idea of a limited ceasefire targeting energy facilities and ports, suggesting potential benefits. Erdogan emphasized the importance of preventing the Black Sea from becoming a battleground, noting that such a scenario would be detrimental to both Russia and Ukraine. He stressed the necessity of ensuring safe navigation in the Black Sea for all parties involved.
In parallel efforts, Trump’s special envoy is scheduled to meet with Volodymyr Zelensky and other European leaders in Berlin over the weekend, as the White House continues to push for a resolution to the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. Zelensky expressed concerns about Russia’s intentions, warning that Ukraine remains a target for destruction, particularly following significant Russian strikes on energy facilities that resulted in widespread power outages. Russia claimed to have retaliated against Ukrainian attacks by targeting facilities with hypersonic ballistic missiles.
Tragic consequences of the ongoing conflict were also reported, including the death of an 80-year-old woman in Ukraine’s Sumy region due to a Russian shell hitting a residential building, as confirmed by the regional governor. Trump’s recent proposal to end the war, which raised criticisms for echoing Moscow’s demands, has spurred increased diplomatic efforts between the US and its European allies, with Kyiv officials submitting a revised version of the plan for consideration. The details of the updated proposal have not been made public, but discussions are ongoing.
A White House official confirmed that Trump’s envoy, Steve Witkoff, will engage in discussions with Zelensky and European leaders to assess the progress of peace negotiations. The latest version of the US-led plan includes the contentious issue of Ukraine’s potential swift entry into the European Union, a move opposed by Russia. Additionally, European nations and Ukraine are seeking security assurances from the US before any territorial concessions are considered, as highlighted by France’s statement on Friday.