A meeting between former U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin could occur as early as next week, marking a potential step towards ending the war in Ukraine.
A senior aide to the Kremlin announced on Thursday that preparations are underway for the meeting, though its exact timing remains uncertain. Kremlin aide Yury Ushakov, speaking to Russian state media RIA Novosti, expressed hope the summit could happen next week amidst a looming U.S. deadline set by Trump, aiming to pressure Moscow to make strides in halting its military aggression in Ukraine.
If the meeting transpires, it would mark the first interaction between leaders of the United States and Russia since 2021, when Putin met then-President Joe Biden in Geneva. The backdrop is the ongoing conflict that began with Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Trump indicated on Wednesday that there was a promising likelihood of a summit with Putin occurring “very soon” to negotiate a ceasefire.
Putin suggested the United Arab Emirates might serve as an agreeable venue for the discussions, a possibility raised following his recent talks with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Moscow. Ushakov, a former Russian ambassador to Washington, indicated that an agreement had been reached regarding the location, albeit without providing specifics.
The prospect of involving Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in a trilateral meeting was downplayed by Ushakov. Although special envoy Steve Witkoff, recently meeting with Putin, floated the idea, Moscow has yet to respond formally. Putin expressed openness to engaging Zelensky under certain conditions. Meanwhile, Zelensky emphasized his country’s readiness for meetings aimed at peace and challenged Russia to demonstrate similar resolve.
The meeting between Witkoff and Putin, which lasted three hours, was Witkoff’s fifth visit to Russia this year. While Trump noted no major breakthroughs occurred, he remained cautious about the timeline for a potential peace deal, citing past disappointments. Following the meeting, the U.S. imposed additional tariffs on India over its Russian oil imports, reflecting ongoing tensions.
Trump has been striving to negotiate peace between Russia and Ukraine since assuming office in January, having initially promised a swift resolution to the conflict. However, progress has been elusive, with Russia maintaining aggression despite public overtures for peace. Critics argue that Putin’s recent actions are attempts to delay negotiations and strengthen his military position in Ukraine.
Expressing frustration, Trump has repeatedly criticized Putin for agreeing to deals that Russia subsequently undermines through actions such as attacks on civilian areas. Zelensky, who spoke with Trump following the recent meeting, remarked that Russia appears more amenable to a ceasefire, noting the effectiveness of international pressure. However, he cautioned against deception in the details, urging vigilance from both Ukraine and the United States.