Levitt said at a White House press conference on Thursday that Washington believes this direct meeting between the two countries "will take place."
She continued: "According to my information, Russia and Ukraine will hold direct talks and negotiations in Istanbul next week. We believe this meeting will take place, and we hope so."
She added, "This meeting is encouraged by (US) President Donald Trump, who insists that the two sides meet and negotiate directly."
She noted that Trump has always wanted to end this conflict, which is why he has repeatedly called for a direct, public meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
On May 15 and 16, Istanbul hosted peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine, which resulted in an agreement to exchange 2,000 prisoners between the two countries.
Since February 24, 2022, Russia has been launching a military attack on its neighbor, Ukraine, demanding that Kyiv abandon its membership in Western military entities as a condition for ending the offensive. Kyiv considers this to be "interference" in its affairs.
