Moscow has confirmed that Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump are likely to meet next week, in what could be one of the most consequential face-to-face encounters since the Ukraine war began. Russian deputy UN Ambassador Dmitry Polyanskiy revealed the plan on Thursday, saying multiple locations had been discussed, though both leaders are keeping the details under wraps. “The timeline is, I think, next week… but that’s again judging from what presidents said themselves,” Polyanskiy told reporters.
No Plans for Putin–Zelensky Talks
While speculation has swirled about possible direct talks between Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Polyanskiy said he had not heard of any such plans. “I haven’t heard about any meeting planned with President Zelensky, but I am not in the loop,” he added, leaving the door slightly ajar for diplomatic surprises.
First US–Russia Presidential Meeting Since 2021
The upcoming summit would mark the first meeting between a US president and Putin since June 2021, when Putin met Donald Trump’s predecessor, Joe Biden, in Geneva. Since then, relations have been defined by Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 — a move Moscow defended as a national security necessity but which Kyiv and the West denounced as an imperial land grab.
Trump’s Unfulfilled Ukraine Pledge
Donald Trump has repeatedly claimed he could end the war in Ukraine within 24 hours of taking office. Now, almost seven months into his second term, that promise remains unmet. The potential meeting with Putin is being framed as part of a renewed push to deliver on that pledge.
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Tariffs and Tensions With India
The development comes amid Trump’s escalating trade tensions with India. Just days ago, he slapped an additional 25% tariff on Indian goods in retaliation for New Delhi’s continued purchase of Russian oil. Ironically, the announcement coincided with Trump praising “progress” made during a meeting between his envoy Steve Witkoff and Putin in Moscow.
A Renewed Bid for Peace
The White House acknowledged earlier this week that Russia had signaled its interest in a direct meeting with Trump. Officials suggested the summit could happen “as soon as next week” as part of what they described as a “serious effort” to explore a negotiated end to the war.
Whether the meeting will yield real progress—or simply become another symbolic exchange—remains to be seen.
