Trump: I believe the two leaders [Putin and Zelensky] will be there [in Istanbul].
I was thinking about flying over. I don’t know where I’m going to be on Thursday.
I’ve got so many meetings. But there’s a possibility of it. 1/
Q: Are you ready to impose sanctions on Russia if Putin doesn’t agree with the 30-day ceasefire?
Trump: I have a feeling they’re going to agree. I do. I have a feeling. 2/
Trump: Thursday's meeting with Russia and Ukraine is very important.
I was very insistent that that meeting take place. Good things can come out of that meeting. 3/
Trump: They [Ukraine and Russia] couldn't get a meeting because one said ceasefire, one said no ceasefire. It was going back and forth.
I said, 'Look, at this point we got to stop it. Go to the meeting on Thursday. It’s set'. 4/
Q: If Putin doesn’t show up in Turkey, will you join Europe in putting higher sanctions on Russia?
Trump: If I felt it would be important toward getting the deal done. 5/
Trump: On Saturday my administration helped broker a full and immediate cease-fire - I think a permanent one - between India and Pakistan.
It has ended a dangerous conflict with two nations with lots of nuclear weapons. 6/
Trump on India and Pakistan conflict: I said, 'Come on, we’re going to do a lot of trade with you guys. Let’s stop it. If you don’t stop it, we’re not going to do any trade.'
People never really used trade the way I used it, that I can tell you. 7/
Trump: Yesterday we achieved a total reset with China after talks in Geneva.
Both sides agreed to reduce the tariffs imposed after April 2nd to 10% for 90 days. 8/
Trump: We also created a situation where the Houthis, for the first time ever, have ceased firing.
And they’ve let it be known that they are not going to be firing at American ships anymore. 9X
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Bloomberg: If Putin backs out of meeting with Zelensky or Russia won’t agree to a cease-fire on Thursday, European leaders will urge Trump to follow his threat to impose sanctions on Moscow.
Kremlin hasn’t yet announced whether Putin will attend the meeting. 1/
Kremlin remains silent on the Istanbul meeting with Zelensky. It signals about uncertainty, usually they respond swiftly.
This hesitation underscores that Trump and Zelensky now have the upper hand, both geopolitically and publicly. 2/
Peskov said that the Russian side continues to prepare for the talks in Istanbul.
Peskov: Kremlin will announce who will represent Russia at the talks with Ukraine as soon as President [Putin] deems it necessary. 3/
BBC: US and Saudi Arabia signed what the White House calls the largest defense sales agreement in history.
The total value's $142 billion. [Can Ukraine please do the same?]
At the same time, SA pledged to invest $600 billion in the US [hmm, not sure Ukraine can afford that] 1/
The $142B defense deal includes five areas:
- Air and missile defense
- Air force and space systems
- Maritime and border security
- Ground force modernization
- Upgrades to communications and IT. Over a dozen US defense firms are involved.
2/
The deal also provides for extensive training and support to Saudi forces.
It includes new programs for Saudi military academies and medical services.
This comes after the US resumed offensive weapons sales to the kingdom last year. 3/
Finally, there is a pope who understands what is happening in Ukraine. Pope Leo XIV calls for peace, names the wars in Gaza, India, Pakistan, and Ukraine, and warns: we are living through a piecemeal World War III. 1/
Pope Leo XIV: I carry in my heart the suffering of the beloved Ukrainian people; do everything possible to achieve, as soon as possible, an authentic, just, and lasting peace—may all prisoners be freed and may children return to their families. 2/
Pope Leo XIV: Brothers and sisters, the immense tragedy of the Second World War ended 80 years ago on May 8, after having caused 60 million casualties. I too address the world’s great leaders... ‘Never again war.’ 3/
The Guardian: Trump declared a "total reset" in US-China trade ties after the first day of talks in Geneva.
Top officials, including China’s He Lifeng and US Treasury Sec. Scott Bessent met for 8 hours in their first in-person attempt to resolve the tariff-driven trade war.
1/
Current US tariffs on Chinese goods are at 145%, with some totaling 245%. China hit back with 125% levies, nearly halting trade.
The US seeks to cut its $295B trade deficit and push China to shift its economic model.
2/
China’s state media Xinhua called US tariffs a “reckless abuse” that’s hurt the global economy but welcomed the talks as progress.
Analysts doubt a breakthrough, as Trump floated an 80% tariff. The US insists China must make concessions before any tariff cuts.
3/