In a striking move toward resolving the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, President Donald Trump has signaled his readiness to engage directly with Russian President Vladimir Putin, potentially without Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy present.
According to NPR.org, this development comes as Trump pushes for a swift end to the war through a possible bilateral summit with Putin, amid looming deadlines and economic pressures on Russia.
The conflict in Ukraine, which escalated into a full-scale invasion by Russia in February 2022, has become Europe’s deadliest war since World War II. It began after years of unrest in eastern Ukraine, leading to widespread devastation and loss of life. Trump, during his campaign, promised to end the war swiftly, often citing his rapport with Putin from his first term in office.
In recent months, Trump has shifted his approach, announcing in mid-July a policy to arm NATO allies in Europe for Ukraine’s defense. He also issued a warning to Russia, giving them 50 days to halt the conflict or face harsh economic consequences. Last week, Trump accelerated this timeline, setting a firm deadline of Friday for Russia to agree to a ceasefire or risk new sanctions and tariffs.
On Tuesday, Zelenskyy shared on social media that he had a "productive conversation" with Trump. In this discussion, they addressed sanctions on Russia, with Zelenskyy noting, "Their economy continues to decline, and that's exactly why Moscow is so sensitive to this prospect and President Trump's resolve." Zelenskyy also expressed cautious optimism in a Wednesday address, stating, "It seems that Russia is now more inclined to a ceasefire. The pressure on them works."
He added, "But the main thing is that they do not deceive us in the details — neither us nor the U.S." Meanwhile, on Wednesday, Trump signed an executive order imposing a 25% tariff on India for buying Russian oil, signaling potential penalties for other major importers like China. That same day, U.S. envoy Witkoff met with Putin in Moscow for a three-hour discussion, which the Kremlin described as positive.
A video released by the Kremlin showed a warm handshake between the two, and Trump later called the meeting "highly productive" on social media. Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov termed the talks "useful" and "constructive," indicating Moscow’s favorable stance on a possible Trump-Putin summit next week. On Thursday, Putin proposed the United Arab Emirates as a potential venue for the talks, coinciding with a visit from the UAE president to Moscow.
Trump, speaking to reporters on Thursday, emphasized his intent to halt the violence, saying, "No he doesn't. They would like to meet with me, and I'll do whatever I can to stop the killing." Regarding the Friday deadline for a ceasefire, Trump remarked, "It's going to be up to him. We're going to see what he has to say. It's going to be up to him. Very disappointed."
He also expressed skepticism about Russia’s ability to evade economic penalties, noting, "You know, they're wily characters and they're pretty good at avoiding sanctions." However, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov downplayed Trump’s threats, asserting that Russia’s economy remains largely unaffected by Western sanctions after over three years of pressure.
Trump’s frustration with the ongoing conflict was evident when he told reporters, "I've been disappointed before, with this one." Putin, reflecting on expectations last Friday after a monastery visit in northwest Russia, said, "All disappointments stem from inflated expectations, as the saying goes."
Putin also stressed the need for private negotiations, stating, "In order to solve the issue in a peaceful way, we need deep conversations, and not in public, but in the calm quiet of the negotiating process." On meeting Zelenskyy, Putin added, "Nothing against that on the whole, it is possible," though he cautioned that necessary conditions are not yet in place.
The Kremlin has rejected a U.S. suggestion for a trilateral meeting involving Zelenskyy, opting instead for bilateral talks with Trump in the coming days. Meanwhile, Zelenskyy announced on Tuesday that the Netherlands, Sweden, Norway, and Denmark have committed to purchasing $1 billion in U.S. weapons for Ukraine. The Netherlands alone will supply American missiles and components for U.S. Patriot air defense systems, valued at over $500 million, to counter increasing Russian airstrikes. These developments highlight the international community’s continued support for Ukraine amid escalating tensions.
Trump’s broader strategy focuses on cutting off Russia’s financial resources for the war by targeting its energy exports through economic penalties. His administration aims to weaken the Russian war effort by imposing secondary tariffs on nations purchasing Russian goods. This approach marks a significant escalation in efforts to force a resolution to the conflict.
Trump’s relationship with Zelenskyy has seen improvement since a public disagreement in February at the White House. The potential summit with Putin, if it occurs, would mark the first face-to-face meeting between a U.S. president and the Russian leader since 2021, before the invasion began. As the Friday deadline approaches, the world watches to see if diplomatic efforts will yield a breakthrough in this protracted and devastating war.