The Kremlin has officially confirmed that Putin and Trump will meet soon, in what could be a major turning point in efforts to end the war in Ukraine. The announcement was made on Thursday, following a meeting between U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow.
The visit, which lasted three hours, comes after Trump warned of new sanctions if Russia does not move toward ending the war. According to Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov, both sides agreed that Putin and Trump will meet soon, though no exact date or location has been given.
Ukraine insists Europe must be part of talks
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has said Europe must be involved in the talks. He spoke with leaders of France, Germany, and the European Commission, and posted on social media:
“The war is happening in Europe, and Ukraine is an integral part of Europe… Therefore, Europe must be a participant in the relevant processes.”
Zelenskiy also stressed that any agreement must result in a “dignified peace,” one that protects Ukraine’s security and future in Europe. Still, Russia has not indicated it is ready for a ceasefire, leaving open questions about the outcome of the planned meeting.
Putin names UAE as a possible venue
During a separate meeting with the president of the United Arab Emirates, Putin said the UAE would be “an entirely suitable” place for the summit. He did not confirm if it would be the final location, but expectations are rising that the Gulf region may host the talks.
This would be the first U.S.-Russia summit since Putin met Joe Biden in Geneva in 2021. Since then, tensions have risen sharply following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Trump has taken a more open approach toward Russia and says he wants to stop the war, but his comments have ranged from praise to harsh warnings directed at Putin.
Russian markets rise as Putin and Trump plan to meet
Following the news that Putin and Trump will meet soon, Russia’s stock market rose sharply. The MOEX index jumped 5%, and the ruble hit its highest level in two weeks.
“Russian stocks are soaring. Investors hope that the (Trump-Putin) meeting will be a step towards normalizing the geopolitical situation,” said analysts at Alfa Bank.
The possibility of a deal has sparked interest in financial markets, but many experts and Ukrainian officials remain cautious. Mykola Bielieskov, a defense analyst in Kyiv, said the summit could give Russia the impression of legitimacy without offering real concessions.
“It gives Russia the impression of getting out of isolation and talking on an equal footing,” he said.
Trump may invite Zelenskiy after Putin
A White House official confirmed Trump might meet Putin as early as next week. The New York Times also reported that Trump told European leaders he plans to meet Putin first, then arrange a three-way meeting with Putin and Zelenskiy.
Ukraine is open to such a meeting. “Ukraine is not afraid of meetings and expects the same brave approach from the Russian side,” Zelenskiy said.
Still, concerns remain that Trump might push for a peace deal that favours Russia. His past comments have often aligned with some of Moscow’s demands, and European leaders fear Ukraine may be pressured into accepting an unfair settlement.
Putin and Trump will meet soon, but outcome is unclear
As confirmed by the Kremlin, Putin and Trump will meet soon in hopes of finding a solution to the war in Ukraine. While markets have responded positively and diplomatic channels are opening, the final outcome remains uncertain. Ukraine and its European allies insist on being part of the talks and are calling for a peace deal that protects Ukrainian sovereignty. The world now watches closely to see what this high-stakes meeting will bring.
