Trump to Meet Putin to End Ukraine War?
Potential summit next week to discuss ceasefire deal.
US President Donald Trump may meet Russian President Vladimir Putin as early as next week to negotiate an end to the Russia-Ukraine war, a White House official revealed on Wednesday. The potential summit, which has not yet been scheduled or assigned a location, follows a “highly productive” three-hour meeting between Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, and Putin in Moscow, according to Trump’s Truth Social post. The talks aim to advance a US-backed 30-day ceasefire proposal, though significant hurdles remain.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt stated that Trump is open to meeting both Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, emphasizing his desire to end the conflict. The discussions come ahead of a Friday deadline for Russia to agree to a peace deal or face severe US sanctions, including potential tariffs on countries like China and India for buying Russian oil. Trump has expressed frustration with Russia’s recent strikes on Ukrainian civilian areas, which Zelenskyy condemned as “cruelty to intimidate” after an attack in Zaporizhzhia killed two and injured 12, including children.
Zelenskyy, after speaking with Trump and European leaders, suggested Russia might be “more inclined” toward a ceasefire but urged caution to ensure Moscow’s sincerity. Meanwhile, Putin’s advisor Yuri Ushakov called the Moscow talks “useful and constructive,” hinting at possible US-Russia strategic cooperation. However, Putin remains firm on maximalist demands, including a complete halt to foreign military aid to Ukraine, raising doubts about a breakthrough.
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The conflict continues to escalate, with Russian forces targeting Ukraine’s power grid and infrastructure, while Ukraine’s long-range drone strikes hit Russian oil facilities. Western analysts suggest Putin may be stalling to capture more territory, despite slow and costly advances. Trump’s threats of economic penalties and the repositioning of two US nuclear submarines signal heightened tensions, even as diplomatic efforts intensify. The outcome of any potential Trump-Putin meeting could reshape the war’s trajectory and US-Russia relations.
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