Donald Trump Cancelled Plans to Visit Istanbul During Crucial Russia-Ukraine Negotiations
Political circles and the international arena are actively discussing recent changes in former U.S. President Donald Trump’s plans regarding his potential trip to Turkey. At first glance, his intentions seem to be shifting again — after reports about a possible meeting in Istanbul scheduled for May 16 as part of important negotiations between Russia and Ukraine, there is now information that Trump has decided to return home before completing his Turkish trip. According to British broadcaster Sky News, citing an unnamed senior official from the White House administration, the risk of Trump visiting Turkey has significantly decreased after it became known that Russian President Vladimir Putin would not participate in negotiations between Russia and Ukraine. This information emerged in the context of his non-participation in upcoming talks planned in Turkey. During his recent visit to the Middle East, in the United Arab Emirates, Trump made a statement that added fuel to the fire of uncertainty regarding his next steps. In an interview with journalists, he said he is most likely to return to the U.S., specifically Washington, and that his trip will end sooner than previously planned. He emphasized that his plans are currently open and that he will probably need to return home soon. “We’ll be leaving tomorrow… It’s practically an unknown destination for our connection,” Trump is quoted as saying. He added that he senses high interest from various diplomatic and political players: “We’re getting many calls asking — can we be here? Or there? But soon, we will probably return to Washington.” This unexpected change of plans underscores the unpredictability and dynamism of his international visits in the context of current geopolitical events. Even before this historic potential trip, in the Kremlin, it was reported that Russian President Vladimir Putin late on May 14 approved the composition of the delegation for the upcoming negotiations with Ukraine in Turkey, scheduled for May 15. It is important to note that neither Putin nor other high-ranking officials from the Kremlin were listed as participants — a sign of the Kremlin’s particular approach to this format. Shortly before this, independent media reported that Trump also did not plan to visit Turkey, although earlier statements suggested he was “considering” doing so, especially if Russian President Vladimir Putin were to be present during the same visit. This further heightened political tensions and spurred speculation about the reasons for such a refusal. Regarding the Ukrainian context, an important meeting between President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is scheduled in Ankara for May 15. Previously, the Ukrainian leader stated that he would be willing to come to Istanbul if Putin also arrived there — his presence in the region was viewed as an important signal and a possible platform for a meeting with Russian leadership. On the other hand, in light of the new circumstances and immediately after Putin’s final decision regarding the delegation, Trump also expressed his readiness to travel to Istanbul on May 16 to participate in negotiations aimed at discussing the Russia-Ukraine war, its consequences, and possible ways out of the conflict. The current situation indicates that the international political scene remains tense and unpredictable. Every decision, every trip, or its absence, can alter the balance of power and impact the course of negotiations and diplomatic processes in the region. At the same time, political analysts are predicting that the upcoming actions of Trump and other world leaders are of great significance for the future of the conflict and the search for paths to peace. For now, officials and experts are monitoring developments, focusing on how these diplomatic maneuvers will influence a new phase of the Ukraine-Russia conflict and global politics overall.