Trump, Putin Agree to Meet Amid Tensions Over Ukraine War

US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin have agreed to hold a face-to-face meeting “in the coming days,” according to a statement from the Kremlin.

The announcement follows Trump’s remarks that there is a “good chance” he could meet both Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky soon to discuss ending the war in Ukraine.

While Zelensky has voiced support for a potential summit, Putin said a meeting with the Ukrainian leader remains unlikely. “We are very far from that,” Putin said, citing unmet conditions.

UAE May Host Trump-Putin Talks

Putin suggested the United Arab Emirates as a possible host for the upcoming meeting with Trump, possibly as early as next week. The talks come just ahead of a critical deadline set by Trump. By Friday, Russia must agree to a ceasefire, or face a new wave of US sanctions.

The proposed summit follows the visit of US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, who met Putin in Moscow on Wednesday. Witkoff’s visit marked his fifth trip to Russia in recent months. Although previous visits sparked optimism, they have yet to deliver a breakthrough in peace negotiations.

Zelensky Supports a Three-Way Meeting

President Zelensky expressed his willingness to attend a three-way summit, stating that multiple formats—“two bilateral and one trilateral”—had been discussed. He also emphasized that Europe must participate in any serious negotiations.

“Ukraine is not afraid of meetings and expects the same brave approach from the Russian side,” Zelensky posted on X (formerly Twitter).

At a White House press briefing, Trump confirmed there was a “very good prospect” of all three leaders meeting soon. However, he struck a cautious tone. “I don’t call it a breakthrough,” Trump said. “There are thousands of young people dying. I’m here to get the thing over with.”

Sanctions and Setbacks

Despite the diplomatic activity, expectations for a peace deal remain low. Russia has continued launching major air attacks on Ukraine, even as Trump’s ceasefire deadline looms.

On Wednesday, Trump signed an executive order imposing a 25% tariff on Indian imports over its continued purchases of Russian oil—a move aimed at tightening economic pressure on Moscow.

Meanwhile, the US approved $200 million in new military aid to Ukraine on Tuesday. This package includes funding for drone production and battlefield support.

Russia’s Demands Remain Unacceptable

Russia continues to insist on a set of preconditions that Kyiv and its allies reject outright. These include:

• Ukraine adopting neutral status

• Abandoning NATO aspirations

• Recognizing Russia’s control of Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, and Crimea

• Withdrawing Ukrainian forces from occupied regions

• Limiting the size of Ukraine’s army

• Establishing Russian as an official language

• Lifting all international sanctions on Russia

Putin insists he will only meet Zelensky during the final phase of negotiations, a position Kyiv says stalls meaningful progress.

Outlook Remains Unclear

With Trump’s deadline approaching and no ceasefire in place, pressure is mounting. Despite active diplomacy and growing international concern, three rounds of previous peace talks in Istanbul failed to end the war, now in its fourth year.

The coming days could be decisive. Whether the Trump-Putin meeting leads to real progress or simply another round of stalled diplomacy remains to be seen.

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