The Kremlin has downplayed speculation about an imminent summit between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky after US President Donald Trump renewed his call for the two leaders to meet and discuss ending the ongoing war in Ukraine.
The push for a bilateral meeting follows Trump’s recent meeting with Putin in Alaska last week. Additionally, Trump welcomed seven European leaders and Zelensky to the White House on Monday, during which Trump acknowledged that the conflict is “a tough one” to resolve. He also conceded that it is possible Putin may not be interested in ending hostilities.
“We’re going to find out about President Putin in the next couple of weeks. It’s possible that he doesn’t want to make a deal,” Trump stated on Tuesday, adding that if this were the case, Putin would face a “rough situation,” although he did not provide further details.
Trump Suggests Direct Talks
In an interview with conservative radio host Mark Levin late Tuesday night, Trump suggested it might be better for Putin and Zelensky to meet without him as he expressed willingness to attend a meeting with both leaders “if necessary,” but emphasized his desire to “see what happens.”
On Monday, Putin told Trump he was “open” to the idea of direct talks with Ukraine. However, the following day, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov downplayed that commitment, stating that any meeting would require gradual preparation, starting with expert-level discussions before progressing through necessary steps. This statement reflects a frequent Kremlin stance.
Dmitry Polyanskiy, a Russian deputy representative to the UN, told the BBC that “nobody [had] rejected” the opportunity for direct talks. However, he emphasized that such a meeting should not occur merely for the sake of having one.
NATO and Military Discussions
NATO’s military chiefs are expected to hold a virtual meeting on Wednesday, as the UK’s military chief, Admiral Tony Radakin, is traveling to Washington for discussions regarding the deployment of a reassurance force in Ukraine.
Reports indicate that Putin suggested to Trump that Zelensky could travel to Moscow for talks. However, this proposal seems unlikely to gain acceptance from Ukraine. It appears to be a tactic by Russia to present an option so far-fetched that Kyiv could not possibly agree to it.
Recent talks have provided Trump with a renewed understanding of the complexities surrounding the war. He has recognized the significant gap between Moscow’s demands and Kyiv’s position. The much-anticipated ceasefire he believed he could secure from Putin has not materialized. Consequently, Trump has shifted his focus, suggesting that Ukraine and Russia should move directly toward a permanent peace deal.
Zelensky and European leaders have successfully convinced Trump that security guarantees are crucial for Kyiv’s sovereignty in any potential peace agreement.
