**US President Trump Hints at Meeting with Putin Soon**
U.S. President Donald Trump has hinted that a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin may take place soon, as he returns to Washington after completing his Middle East trip. In Abu Dhabi on May 16, Trump expressed his willingness to meet with Putin, stating “I think it’s time for us to just do it.” He added that the meeting would happen “as soon as we can set it up.”
This announcement comes amid ongoing tensions between Russia and Ukraine, with the two sides struggling to make progress in peace talks. The conflict has been a major point of contention between Trump and Putin, with the U.S. president previously stating that he expects no breakthroughs until they meet in person.
**Putin Rejects Meeting with Zelensky**
In another development, Russian President Vladimir Putin has rejected an appeal by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to meet in person to discuss a ceasefire. Despite Moscow’s previous suggestions to resume negotiations, the Russian leader instead dispatched a delegation of junior officials to Istanbul for talks with Ukraine. This move was met with skepticism by the Ukrainian side, who described the meeting as a “sham.”
**Ukrainian Delegation Holds Talks**
Meanwhile, the Ukrainian delegation has held talks with Turkish and U.S. officials on May 16. The group is expected to meet with a Russian delegation in Istanbul in an attempt to revive stalled peace efforts.
**Trump’s Changing Tone**
The U.S. president’s comments on meeting with Putin mark a shift in his tone towards Russia, which had previously been characterized by praise for the Kremlin leader. However, amid ongoing tensions and stalemate in peace talks, Trump has adopted a more critical approach, suggesting that the two leaders need to meet face-to-face to make progress.
**The Importance of Independent Journalism**
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