Trump sends Marco Rubio to Ukraine-Russia peace talks in Turkey
By Steven Nelson and Diana Glebova
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia — President Trump said Tuesday that Secretary of State Marco Rubio will represent him at Russia-Ukraine peace talks expected to take place Thursday in Istanbul — after suggesting he might go himself to try to end Europe’s bloodiest conflict since World War II.
Trump announced that America’s top diplomat would make the trip during a speech to Saudi leaders and businessmen on the first day of his three-country tour of the Middle East.
“Talks are being held in Turkey later this week — probably on Thursday, and they could produce some pretty good results. Our people are going to be going there, Marco is going to be going there, others are going to be going, and we’ll see if we can get it done,” Trump said.
President Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on May 13, 2025.
AP Photo/Alex Brandon
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Rubio with Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth at the Saudi Royal Court on May 13, 2025.
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Rubio speaking with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman during Trump’s visit to Saudi Arabia.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky challenged his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin on Tuesday to meet him in person this week for the peace talks in Istanbul.
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The president gave no further indication that he too would join the meeting — a prospect that would be extremely challenging due to the short window of time available for security and logistical planning.
On Monday, Trump told reporters at the White House that “I would fly there if I thought it would be helpful,” but there were no indications late Tuesday that preparations were being made for a side trip to Turkey.
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Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky holding a press conference in Kyiv amidst the Russian invasion, discussing upcoming peace talks in Turkey.
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Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky will attend the peace talks in Turkey.
Photo by GENYA SAVILOV/AFP via Getty Images
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky agreed to attend the talks after Trump pressured him to do so — though it’s unclear if Russian President Vladimir Putin would attend, as Trump predicted would happen.
Trump said Tuesday that he wanted to achieve peace because of the toll of the conflict on “young, beautiful souls that left their parents, waving goodbye to their brothers and sisters. ‘Goodbye. I’ll see you soon’, and they got blown to pieces.”
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