Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha has confirmed that Kyiv has communicated its intention to arrange a meeting between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and former U.S. President Donald Trump to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, stating that he had already “made clear to Ankara” Kyiv’s desire for such a encounter.
Sybiha’s remarks, made during a press briefing in Kyiv on Thursday, underscored Ukraine’s continued efforts to leverage diplomatic channels to advance its position in the ongoing conflict with Russia, particularly through engagement with influential international figures.
In contrast, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov stated that Moscow has not yet formulated any concrete initiative regarding efforts to settle the Ukrainian crisis, emphasizing that “for the time being no concrete initiative has been formulated” on the matter.
Lavrov’s comments, delivered at a separate briefing in Moscow, highlighted Russia’s current stance of non-engagement with proposed diplomatic overtures involving Trump and Erdogan, maintaining that any settlement discussions must proceed through established channels.
The divergence in positions reflects the broader diplomatic impasse between Kyiv and Moscow, as both sides navigate competing visions for resolving the conflict that has persisted since Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022.
While Ukraine seeks to broaden international involvement in peace efforts, Russia insists on maintaining control over the negotiation framework, rejecting external mediation that does not align with its strategic objectives.
Erdogan, who has positioned himself as a potential mediator in the Ukraine conflict, has previously hosted talks between Ukrainian and Russian officials, though no breakthrough has been achieved to date.
The Turkish president’s office has not yet responded to Kyiv’s communication regarding a potential Trump-Erdogan meeting, leaving the proposal in a state of diplomatic uncertainty.
Trump, who has repeatedly claimed he could conclude the war in Ukraine within 24 hours if re-elected, has not publicly commented on Sybiha’s statement or indicated willingness to engage in such a meeting.
As of Friday, no official response has been issued by the Trump campaign or transition team regarding the Ukrainian proposal, and the Kremlin has reiterated its position that no formal settlement initiative has been presented by Moscow.
