The White House stated that U.S. President Donald Trump is prepared to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. When asked about Trump’s potential participation in a proposed meeting by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, White House spokeswoman Carolyn Leavitt said Monday that Trump is “ready and wants the leaders of the two countries to sit down at the table.”
Trump, who took office in January with a pledge to quickly resolve the Ukraine war, has faced challenges in advancing his initial efforts, including his tough stance toward Zelensky. He has also increasingly criticized Putin for lack of progress. While Trump has previously suggested a potential leaders’ meeting between Zelensky and Putin, no such talks have materialized.
Meanwhile, Russia reportedly presented Ukraine with a “peace note” outlining ceasefire terms, according to Axios, citing a Ukrainian official. The proposal reportedly maintained Russia’s longstanding demands, including Ukrainian withdrawal from disputed territories.
Russian and Ukrainian delegations held a second round of peace talks in Istanbul, following a major Ukrainian drone strike inside Russia. The discussions lasted about an hour, yielding no significant breakthroughs beyond an agreement on another prisoner swap. Russia has rejected Trump’s calls for an immediate ceasefire.
Under the exchange deal, Ukraine will repatriate prisoners of war under 25 or in critical condition, while Russia has agreed to return 6,000 bodies and at least 1,000 POWs. Additionally, Ukrainian officials said Russia offered to return 10 out of hundreds of Ukrainian children taken to Russia, with a July 10 deadline.
Andriy Yermak, Zelensky’s chief of staff, confirmed that Ukraine has submitted a list of children it seeks to have returned, but Russia’s response remains limited.