6:18Rep. Mike Turner, R-Ohio, appears on ABC News’ “This Week” Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025.ABC News
Ohio Republican Congressman Mike Turner expressed his belief that a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine is “drawing nearer” in anticipation of a meeting on Sunday between President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida.
This gathering occurs as Russia unleashed a series of drone attacks over the weekend, targeting various sites throughout Ukraine.
“I believe Zelenskyy is arriving with a feasible plan that could lead us to a resolution,” Turner told ABC “This Week” co-anchor Jonathan Karl.
However, Turner, a member of the House Armed Services Committee, remarked that the type of security assurances Ukraine is pursuing from Western allies may pose significant challenges.
Rep. Mike Turner, R-Ohio, appears on ABC News’ “This Week” Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025.ABC News
“It’s going to be considerably more complex because Ukraine desires, of course, assurances that Russia will not return, and that the West will provide them with guarantees to deter Russia in the future,” Turner stated.
“Is there any indication that Russia is prepared to make any compromises as well?” Karl inquired.
“Well, not based on what you witnessed last night. Keep in mind, even on Christmas, when they were urged to declare a ceasefire, Russia has not consented to any ceasefire. Russia continues to advance,” Turner remarked. “However, the Ukrainians are consistently resisting Russian aggression.”
When pressed by Karl regarding which side Trump was supporting, Russia or Ukraine, Turner replied that Trump was advocating for “peace.”
“He’s attempting to mediate between these two opposing forces – which is exceedingly challenging – to unite these two parties,” Turner explained. “But in mediating, we must recognize that Russia’s aim is to seize from others what rightfully belongs to them.”
Turner also commented on the recent U.S. airstrikes in Nigeria targeting what the U.S. identified as ISIS positions.
"Are we now involved in a military confrontation in Nigeria? What’s happening?" Karl questioned.
"This is an extension, of course, of our struggle against ISIS. It has been global, including Iraq and Syria. Now you’re witnessing it in Nigeria," Turner stated, adding that the strikes were carried out in collaboration with the Nigerian government.
"We’re, of course, observing that ISIS worldwide has not been vanquished," Turner remarked, emphasizing that the U.S. will "need to keep responding to" ISIS "or else they will continue to pose a threat."
Sourse: abcnews.go.com