Putin and Trump to Meet Soon as Zelenskiy Pushes for European Role in Peace Talks

 

The Kremlin has confirmed that Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump will meet in the coming days for what will be the first summit between the two leaders since 2021. The announcement follows a meeting between Trump’s envoy, Steve Witkoff, and Putin in Moscow. The Kremlin described that exchange as constructive and “businesslike,” suggesting a possible shift in diplomatic tone compared to the Biden administration.

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Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov said both sides are preparing the summit and that a venue has been chosen but not yet disclosed. The United Arab Emirates has been mentioned as a likely location. The upcoming meeting is being viewed as a potential step toward de-escalating the war in Ukraine, now in its fourth year.

Financial markets reacted positively to the news. Russia’s MOEX index jumped by 5%, and the rouble also gained against major currencies. Analysts believe investors are hopeful the summit could begin normalizing geopolitical tensions. A White House official confirmed the meeting could happen as early as next week, with discussions reportedly including a possible follow-up trilateral summit involving Ukraine.

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As talks of a potential Trump-Putin summit develop, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has made it clear that Europe must be involved in any serious discussions about ending the war. Speaking after calls with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Zelenskiy stated that Ukraine, already negotiating EU accession, is "an integral part of Europe" and must have a seat at the table.

Zelenskiy warned that any peace deal reached without European involvement could reshape the continent’s security for decades. He stressed that Ukraine is not afraid of meetings, including proposed trilateral formats, and expects Russia to show the same level of openness.

Concerns persist in Kyiv and among European leaders that Trump may push for a peace deal more aligned with Moscow’s interests, particularly given his mixed statements about Putin. Nonetheless, Zelenskiy reiterated his commitment to a “dignified peace” that protects Ukrainian sovereignty.

While the Kremlin acknowledged that a Trump-Putin-Zelenskiy summit was suggested by Trump’s envoy, they offered no comment on that prospect. For now, Russia is focusing solely on preparing for the bilateral summit with Trump.