War in Ukraine: the Kremlin announces a Trump-Poutine meeting

The Kremlin announced Thursday that a meeting between Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump is planned “in the coming days”. A three -peak summit with the Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky is currently dismissed.

US President Donald Trump also mentioned a possible meeting “very soon” with his counterpart Vladimir Putin on Wednesday, which would have been a first since his return to the White House in January.

Trump had resumed contact with Mr. Putin in the hope of quickly ending the Russian offensive in Ukraine launched in 2022, but has been more and more frustrated in recent weeks. He launched Russia an ultimatum that expires on Friday, summoning him to find an agreement with Ukraine under penalty of severe sanctions.

“At the suggestion of the American party, an agreement in principle has been concluded to organize a bilateral summit in the coming days,” the Kremlin diplomatic advisor Iouri Ouchakov announced on Thursday.

According to him, this meeting could be held “next week” and a place, which will be announced later, was agreed “in principle” between the two parties. “It is essential that this meeting is fruitful and productive,” he said.

On the other hand, Moscow does not envisage for the time of meeting three between Donald Trump, Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelensky, a format which was proposed by Washington, continued Mr. Ouchakov. “This option was not concretely discussed. The Russian part has left this option completely without comment, “he said.

This sudden diplomatic acceleration follows the visit to Moscow on Wednesday of the special emissary of the American president, Steve Witkoff, who notably spoke with Vladimir Putin.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for his side on Wednesday evening on the phone with Donald Trump, a conversation in which several European leaders also participated.

Thursday, Mr. Zelensky once again insisted on the need for a face-to-face meeting with his Russian counterpart, a format that Moscow only considers as a final phase for a peace agreement.

Such a meeting is a “very clear priority” of Ukraine and can “lead to truly lasting peace,” wrote Mr. Zelensky on X.

The Ukrainian leader said he plans to keep “several” conversations on Thursday, notably with the German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, as well as with French and Italian officials.

“There will also be communications at the level of national security advisers,” added Mr. Zelensky.

The last summit in good and due form between Russia and the United States dates back to June 2021, when ex-President Joe Biden had met his Russian counterpart in Geneva (Switzerland). The Democratic leader then cut the bridges.