Trump Says He Would Meet Putin Without Zelensky Sit-down

US President Donald Trump stated on Thursday that he would meet Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss the Ukraine war, even if the Kremlin leader had not agreed to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky beforehand.

This declaration contradicts earlier assertions that a prior Putin-Zelensky meeting was a prerequisite for any such summit. The statement followed Trump’s earlier ultimatum, giving Moscow until Friday to establish a ceasefire or face intensified sanctions. However, when queried in the Oval Office regarding the status of that deadline, Trump responded ambiguously:

“It’s going to be up to (Putin),” he said. “We’re going to see what he has to say.”

Since returning to the presidency in January, Trump has escalated diplomatic pressure on Moscow to halt its invasion of Ukraine.

Kremlin Confirms Putin’s Attendance

According to the Kremlin, Putin intends to participate in a summit with Trump “in the coming days,” though the Russian leader has effectively dismissed the idea of including Zelensky in the discussions.

Zelensky, in response, maintained that he must be directly involved in any meaningful negotiations.

When asked if meeting Zelensky was a precondition for Putin, Trump replied simply: “No, he doesn’t.”

Putin has floated the United Arab Emirates as a potential venue, although the White House has not confirmed the location.

Timeline of Events

Background on Russia–Ukraine Conflict

Since Russia launched its full-scale military offensive on Ukraine in February 2022:

• Casualties: Tens of thousands of lives have been lost.
• Displacement: Millions have been forced to flee, particularly from the eastern and southern regions.
• Infrastructure: Extensive destruction has occurred due to ongoing Russian bombardments.

Previous Peace Efforts

Despite three rounds of direct talks between Russia and Ukraine in Istanbul, no breakthrough has been achieved. Russia has consistently outlined stringent demands, including:

• Territorial Concessions: Kyiv must withdraw from territories under dispute.
• Security Guarantees: Ukraine must renounce Western military support.

Meanwhile, Zelensky insists any final resolution must include Ukraine’s full participation.

Potential Summit Details

Statements from Key Figures

• Zelensky:

“It is only fair that Ukraine should be a participant in the negotiations.”

• Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH):

“Face-to-face dialogue is important, but Putin cannot be allowed yet another opportunity to delay or water down President Trump’s promise of harsh sanctions taking effect tomorrow.”

• Putin:

“Certain conditions must be created for a meeting with Zelensky. Unfortunately, we are still far from creating such conditions.”

European Response and Advocacy

In his regular evening address, Zelensky reaffirmed the necessity of European involvement in the negotiation process. He noted discussions with:

• French President Emmanuel Macron
• German Chancellor Friedrich Merz
• European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen

“Ukraine is an integral part of Europe—we are already in negotiations on EU accession. Therefore, Europe must be a participant in the relevant processes,” Zelensky posted on social media.

The coming days may prove pivotal for the future of Eastern Europe, as world leaders prepare for potentially high-stakes diplomatic engagement. Whether these talks pave the way toward de-escalation remains uncertain.