Putin to meet Zelenskyy before Trump summit? US President says there’s ‘no need’

United States President Donald Trump said on Thursday that he is ready to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin, even if Putin doesn’t first talk with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to try to end the war in Ukraine. Trump made this comment during a press briefing in Washington, DC.

When asked directly whether Putin must meet Zelenskyy first before any meeting with the US President, Trump clearly said, "No, he doesn’t. No."

Trump’s remarks came shortly after Putin told reporters that he hopes to meet President Trump next week, likely in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The Kremlin also confirmed that a summit between Trump and Putin is being planned, though final details are still being worked out.

Officials in Washington also said that talks are ongoing about the location, time, and agenda of the meeting. If it happens, this would be the first direct meeting between a US President and Putin since the start of the war in Ukraine in 2022.

Kremlin supports Trump’s position, says no plan for Zelenskyy meeting

The Russian government welcomed Trump’s comment. A Kremlin spokesperson said that there is currently no plan for Putin to meet with Zelenskyy. However, they confirmed that Putin and Trump will meet soon, and the agreement was made at the request of the American side.

“In principle, both sides have agreed to a high-level meeting in the coming days,” said Yury Ushakov, Putin’s foreign policy advisor.

The Kremlin did not share the exact date or place for the meeting, but sources say the UAE is the likely location. Some officials believe this meeting could help restart peace talks between the US and Russia after several years of rising tension.

If the meeting happens, Trump would become the first US President to meet face-to-face with Putin since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022. The last such meeting was between Joe Biden and Vladimir Putin in June 2021, held in Geneva, Switzerland.

Ukraine wants talks, but Russia not ready to engage

Meanwhile, Ukraine has reacted cautiously to these developments. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said his country is always ready for direct talks to end the war, but Russia needs to be brave enough to come to the table.

“Ukraine is not afraid of meetings and expects the same bold approach from the Russian side. It is time to end the war,” Zelenskyy said in a written statement shared with international media.

Zelenskyy and other Ukrainian officials have repeatedly accused Russia of targeting civilians, including in cities far from the front lines. Human rights groups and Western governments have also criticized Russia’s actions since the beginning of the conflict.

Ukraine continues to receive military and economic support from its European and Western allies, including the US. However, with Trump back in office, some analysts expect a shift in US foreign policy, including a different approach toward Russia.

Background of the conflict and global impact

The war in Ukraine began when Russia invaded the country in February 2022, sparking international outrage. The United States, the European Union, and other allies imposed economic sanctions on Russia and sent military aid to help Ukraine defend itself.

So far, the war has caused thousands of deaths, massive destruction, and the displacement of millions of people. Key cities and towns in Ukraine have been badly damaged by missile attacks and airstrikes.

The conflict has also had major impacts on the global economy, especially in energy and food markets. Russia is a large exporter of oil, gas, and wheat, and the war disrupted global supplies. Ukraine is also a major grain supplier, and the fighting has hurt farming and food exports from the region.

In recent months, there have been growing calls from some leaders and experts for a peaceful resolution to the war. However, there is still deep mistrust between the two sides, and little progress has been made through diplomacy.

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What the Trump-Putin meeting could mean

President Trump’s upcoming meeting with Putin could signal a new phase in US-Russia relations. While critics worry that Trump might appear soft on Russia, supporters argue that direct talks are better than continued conflict.

Trump has previously said he believes personal diplomacy can work where formal negotiations fail. During his earlier term, he held summits with North Korea’s Kim Jong-un, and met with Putin in Helsinki in 2018, though those meetings were also controversial.

Whether or not this new summit can help end the war in Ukraine remains uncertain. For now, Zelenskyy remains hopeful that peace is possible, but also insists that Ukraine will defend itself as long as the war continues.