President Donald Trump is set to meet face-to-face with Russia's President Vladimir Putin next week. Following this, he intends to hold a trilateral meeting with Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. This initiative, confirmed by Trump himself, aims at establishing direct talks with Putin with a high probability of convening soon.
The plan was initially shared by Trump in a call with European leaders on Wednesday. The proposed meeting intends to include only Trump, Putin, and Zelenskyy, excluding any other European leaders. Sources reveal that while European leaders have coordinated efforts to end the Russia-Ukraine conflict, they seem inclined to agree with Trump's approach.
Despite the proposal, it remains unclear whether Putin and Zelenskyy have approved it. During the call, Ukrainian President Zelenskyy noted discussions with Trump, emphasizing the collective desire to end the war "in all honesty." European leaders, along with Britain's Prime Minister, Germany's Chancellor, NATO's Secretary General, US Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Trump's advisor Steve Witkoff, joined the call.
Trump's emissary meets with Putin for hours
On his social media platform, Truth Social, Trump highlighted Witkoff's extensive meeting with Putin in Russia, after which European allies were briefed. "All agree this war must end, and we will work on this in the coming days and weeks," Trump shared. Earlier this year, Trump had a private meeting with Zelenskyy during Pope Francis's funeral in Rome, an encounter French President Emmanuel Macron attempted to join, but was denied by Trump.
No immediate reaction to the proposed meeting from any leaders
The White House, Witkoff, Vance, Rubio, and Putin's spokesperson Dmitry Peskov have all refrained from commenting on the matter. Trump's attempts to mediate peace in the Russia-Ukraine war over the recent months have yet to bear fruit, with previous challenges notwithstanding. His concerns over US military aid led to a stern confrontation with Zelenskyy in the Oval Office earlier this year.
Trump warns of secondary sanctions if peace talks stall
Recently, Trump sanctioned NATO allies for weapon sales to Ukraine, accusing Putin of delaying tactics meant to entangle negotiations. Witkoff's trip to Moscow comes amidst Trump's threat of imposing secondary sanctions on Russia if peace negotiations show no progress. Witkoff is returning to the US, where numerous meetings await, raising the possibility of Trump finalizing a meeting with Putin and Zelenskyy next week.
