Erdogan wants a meeting with Trump, after speaking with Putin: “Peace is not far” / What he said about the Black Sea

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who recently returned from a meeting with his Russian counterpart, said he hopes to discuss a peace plan between Ukraine and Russia with US President Donald Trump, Reuters reports.

Erdogan met with Vladimir Putin in Turkmenistan on Friday, where the two discussed “comprehensive peace efforts” to end the war in Ukraine, according to a statement issued after the meeting by the Turkish side, which reiterated Ankara's readiness to support peace efforts.

“After this meeting with Putin, we hope to have the opportunity to discuss the peace plan with US President Trump as well. Peace is not far away; we see that,” Erdogan told reporters on the flight back from Turkmenistan.

On Friday, the Turkish leader had told his counterpart that a limited ceasefire, focusing in particular on the energy sector and ports, could be beneficial.

“The Black Sea should not be seen as a battleground. Such a situation would only harm Russia and Ukraine,” Erdogan said in remarks released by his office on Saturday.

“Everyone needs safe navigation in the Black Sea. This must be ensured,” he added.

Russia attacked two Ukrainian ports on Friday and damaged three Turkish-owned ships, including a vessel carrying food supplies, Ukrainian officials and a boat owner said, days after Moscow threatened to cut Ukraine off from the sea.

Trump wants a deal by Christmas

In recent weeks, the US has held several talks with representatives of Russia and Ukraine, and the Trump administration is pushing for a deal by Christmas, according to the BBC.

US special envoy Steve Witkoff and President Donald Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner will meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and European leaders in Berlin this weekend, a US official told Reuters.

Witkoff will also meet his counterparts in France, Britain and Germany on Sunday and Monday, the official added.