Trump Plans Putin, Zelensky Meetings to End War

Download IPFS

WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump is preparing for in-person meetings with both Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky as early as next week, according to The New York Times, which cited two individuals familiar with the plans.

Details of the meetings were reportedly shared during a call between Trump and European leaders on Wednesday. While the White House has yet to issue an official statement, Trump acknowledged the diplomatic efforts on his Truth Social account.

“Everyone agrees this war must come to a close, and we will work towards that in the days and weeks to come,” Trump wrote, following a meeting between U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff and Russian officials that was described as “highly productive.”

Since returning to the White House in January, Trump has repeatedly stated that ending the Russia-Ukraine war is one of his top foreign policy priorities. On the campaign trail, he pledged to stop the war “on day one” of his presidency. Although a resolution has not yet been achieved, the administration has maintained open lines of communication with both sides.

Trump has already held several phone calls with Putin and met with Zelensky earlier this year. According to officials familiar with the matter, the president has recently grown frustrated with Russia’s lack of movement toward ending the war, now in its third year.

The upcoming talks are expected to focus on a potential ceasefire and future negotiations. No specific details have been released regarding the location or agenda.

The conflict has resulted in tens of thousands of casualties and massive civilian displacement across Ukraine. While the previous administration largely supported Kyiv through military aid, the Trump administration is pursuing a different approach, aiming for a rapid diplomatic resolution.

European leaders offered cautious support for the effort. A spokesperson for the German government said they welcome “any serious attempt” to stop the fighting. French officials also expressed support for a resolution that protects Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Whether the upcoming meetings will yield a breakthrough remains uncertain. Still, Trump’s direct engagement signals a renewed push to bring both sides to the table and potentially end one of Europe’s most destructive modern conflicts.