**US President Trump May Attend Ukraine-Russia Peace Talks in Istanbul**
In a surprise twist, US President Donald Trump has hinted that he might still join the potential peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine on May 16 if there is progress toward a deal. The news comes as the war between the two countries continues to rage on.
During his official visit to Qatar on May 15, Trump expressed his desire for the conflict to end. “We’d like to see (the war) end and I think we have a chance of doing it,” he told journalists. This is a departure from his previous stance, where he stated that he would not attend the expected talks.
The US President’s comments suggest that he may still be interested in playing a role in brokering a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine. However, his attendance at the negotiations now hinges on progress being made toward a resolution.
**Background to the Conflict**
The conflict between Russia and Ukraine has been ongoing for several months, with both sides trading blame and accusations. The Russian delegation has already arrived in Istanbul, where they will meet with Ukrainian officials to discuss a potential ceasefire agreement. However, the talks have stalled due to disagreements over the terms of the deal.
**US Frustration Grows**
The US has grown increasingly frustrated with the stalled peace efforts, as its self-imposed 100-day deadline to broker a deal has passed. The White House has been critical of both Ukraine and Russia, blaming them for the deadlock in the negotiations.
President Trump has also expressed frustration, stating that he had met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in the Vatican on April 26, where they discussed potential peace efforts. However, when asked about Russian President Vladimir Putin’s absence from the talks, Trump responded cryptically: “Why would he go if I’m not going?”
**Next Steps**
The next steps in the conflict remain uncertain. The US is waiting to see whether there will be progress toward a deal before committing to attending the negotiations. Meanwhile, Russia and Ukraine are set to meet on May 16, with hopes of reaching a breakthrough.
As tensions continue to rise between Russia and Ukraine, it remains to be seen whether the international community can play a role in brokering a lasting peace agreement.
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