Trump Hints at Putin Meeting as Tensions Rise Over Russia-Ukraine War

Former U.S. President Donald Trump has revealed that a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin could happen “very soon,” following what he described as “highly productive” talks in Moscow between his special envoy and Russian officials.

“There’s a good chance that there will be a meeting very soon,” Trump told reporters at the White House on Wednesday, when asked about potential talks with both Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. He did not disclose the location of the meeting, which would mark the first U.S.-Russia leadership summit since Geneva in 2021.

According to a senior source in Kyiv, Trump discussed the proposed summit during a call with Zelensky that also included NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and the leaders of Britain, Germany, and Finland.

Citing sources familiar with the matter, The New York Times and CNN reported that Trump could meet with Putin as early as next week and is also seeking a three-way meeting involving Zelensky.

“It seems that Russia is now more inclined to agree to a ceasefire; the pressure on them is working. But the main thing is that they do not deceive us or the United States in the details,” Zelensky said Wednesday evening.

The Trump-Zelensky call came shortly after U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff concluded talks in Moscow, which the Kremlin described as “productive.” The meeting occurred just as Trump’s deadline for imposing new sanctions on Russia approaches.

“Great progress was made!” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform, adding that he had briefed European allies following the talks. “Everyone agrees this War must come to a close, and we will work towards that in the days and weeks to come.”

Despite the optimism, a senior U.S. official confirmed that “secondary sanctions” targeting Russia were still on track to be implemented within two days.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Witkoff returned from Moscow with a ceasefire proposal that would be discussed with Ukraine and other allies. However, he warned that there was “a lot of work ahead,” saying a Trump-Putin meeting could still be “weeks maybe” away.

Trump, who previously claimed he could end the war within 24 hours of taking office, has given Russia until Friday to show progress toward peace or face additional penalties.

Three earlier rounds of peace talks in Istanbul between Ukraine and Russia have failed to produce results. Meanwhile, Russia has intensified its military offensive, escalating drone and missile strikes and advancing further into Ukrainian territory.

“A quite useful and constructive conversation took place,” said Yuri Ushakov, Putin’s aide, after the three-hour meeting with Witkoff. He noted that both sides exchanged “signals” about their positions but provided no details.

Zelensky confirmed his phone call with Trump and acknowledged the participation of European leaders, though he did not name them specifically.

In recent weeks, Trump has expressed growing frustration with Putin over Russia’s relentless assault on Ukraine. While the White House has not detailed its next moves, Trump hinted at broader penalties, saying the U.S. plans to impose “a lot more secondary sanctions,” possibly targeting key Russian trade partners, including China.

He also announced increased tariffs on Indian goods in response to India’s continued purchase of Russian oil.

Without naming Trump directly, the Kremlin criticized such “threats” as “illegitimate,” particularly regarding proposed tariff hikes on Russia’s trade partners.

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, ongoing since February 2022, has resulted in tens of thousands of deaths, widespread destruction, and millions of displaced civilians. Moscow continues to demand territorial concessions from Kyiv and an end to U.S. and EU support.

Ukraine, on the other hand, is demanding an immediate ceasefire. Zelensky last week called on allies to push for “regime change” in Moscow.

In a sign of growing military tension, Trump revealed he had ordered two U.S. nuclear submarines into the region following an online spat with former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev.

In response, Moscow announced it would end its moratorium on deploying intermediate-range nuclear missiles, suggesting such weapons could be stationed in response to what it claimed were U.S. deployments near Russian borders.