Trump Expresses Interest in Meeting with Putin, Zelensky Amid Ukraine Crisis
U.S. President Donald Trump has signaled his intent to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky as soon as next week, according to multiple sources. This planned meeting comes amid discussions about the ongoing crisis in Ukraine and the impending deadline for a potential ceasefire.
Background and Intentions
Trump's intentions to meet with Putin and Zelensky were reportedly disclosed in a call with European leaders, during which he expressed his readiness for a personal meeting with Putin, followed by a three-way meeting with both leaders. As reported by Deutsche Welle, this announcement follows highly productive
talks in Russia by Trump's envoy, Steve Witkoff.
The American president's interest in these meetings comes as the deadline for Russia to reach a peace deal with Ukraine approaches, or face secondary tariffs targeting its oil exports, a strategy that has been described as unusually reticent
by The Guardian.
Conflicting Narratives
The narrative surrounding the proposed meetings appears to be somewhat divergent. According to ANSA and TASS, Putin has expressed openness to a summit with Trump, but not with Zelensky, unless certain conditions are met. Meanwhile, Trump has allegedly rowed back on an earlier claim that he will only meet with Putin if Zelensky is also present at the summit, according to Sky News World.
Despite these conflicting narratives, President Trump wants this brutal war to end,
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt was quoted saying by TASS and Al Jazeera English. The White House also indicated that Russia had expressed a desire to meet with President Trump.
Potential Implications
The potential implications of this meeting are far-reaching. The ongoing conflict in Ukraine has been a contentious issue, with Trump's handling of it potentially defining his presidency, as per The Guardian. The news of this possible meeting comes just as the deadline for Moscow to avoid further sanctions arrives.
Conclusion and Current Status
As of now, the details surrounding the prospective meetings remain uncertain. According to TASS, Trump has said that the meeting with Putin and Zelensky is unnecessary
for his talks with the Russian president, while ANSA reports sources from the White House renew calls for Trump to also meet with the Ukrainian leader.
In the meantime, Trump's envoy Steve Witkoff has been in Moscow for last-chance discussions with Putin, according to Le Monde and The Guardian, signaling a continued push for a resolution to the Ukraine crisis. The world now anticipates Trump's next move as the Russian ceasefire deadline approaches.