Trump Open to Putin Meeting Without Ukraine’s Zelenskyy Present/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ President Donald Trump said he would meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin even if Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelenskyy was not present, raising the prospect of a U.S.-Russia summit. The potential meeting comes as Moscow faces a White House deadline to show progress toward ending the war in Ukraine or face new sanctions. Ukraine fears being sidelined in peace talks as European leaders push for its inclusion.
Trump-Putin Summit Prospects: Quick Looks
- Trump says Putin doesn’t need to meet Zelenskyy for U.S. talks
- Putin expresses interest in meeting Trump, possibly in the UAE next week
- White House still finalizing details, says meeting less likely without Ukraine
- Ukraine wary of being excluded from negotiations; Zelenskyy calls for European role
- U.S. deadline for Russian progress toward peace set for Friday
- Putin maintains “conditions” must be right for Zelenskyy talks
- Possible summit would be first U.S.-Russia leaders’ meeting since 2021
- War has killed tens of thousands and displaced millions
- Gallup poll shows growing Ukrainian support for a negotiated settlement
- Critics fear summit could give Putin diplomatic legitimacy without concessions
Deep Look
Trump Signals Openness to Putin Meeting Without Ukraine’s Leader
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump said Thursday he would be willing to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin without requiring that Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also attend, a statement that could pave the way for the first U.S.-Russia summit in four years.
The comment came hours after Putin publicly expressed interest in meeting Trump, possibly next week in the United Arab Emirates. While the White House has not confirmed the location or timing, press secretary Karoline Leavitt said officials are reviewing the logistics.
When asked if Putin must meet with Zelenskyy as a precondition, Trump replied, “No, he doesn’t. No.”
A White House official initially told the Associated Press that such a requirement existed but later clarified that its absence would only make the summit “less likely,” not impossible.
Diplomatic Stakes and Potential Risks
For Putin, a meeting with Trump would be a diplomatic breakthrough after years of isolation following the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. For Trump, it represents an opportunity to advance his long-standing claim that he could personally broker an end to the war.
However, Ukraine fears being sidelined. Zelenskyy has repeatedly warned that direct Washington-Moscow talks could bypass Kyiv’s interests, particularly on critical issues such as territorial sovereignty and security guarantees.
Putin told reporters he is not against meeting Zelenskyy in principle but said “certain conditions” must be in place first. The Kremlin’s position has long been that such talks should happen only once lower-level negotiators have nearly finalized an agreement.
White House Deadline and Possible Sanctions
The discussion comes on the eve of a White House-imposed deadline for Moscow to show measurable progress toward ending the nearly three-year-old war. Failure to meet the deadline could trigger additional U.S. sanctions.
“It’s going to be up to him,” Trump said of Putin. “Very disappointed,” he added, referring to the ongoing civilian and military casualties on both sides.
Positions in Washington, Moscow, and Kyiv
Putin’s foreign policy adviser Yuri Ushakov said the Kremlin wants to focus on making any Trump-Putin meeting “successful and productive,” dismissing the inclusion of Zelenskyy as “not specifically discussed.”
Kirill Dmitriev, head of Russia’s sovereign wealth fund, said the summit could also address economic cooperation, including joint investments in areas like rare earth minerals.
The last U.S.-Russia leaders’ summit took place in Geneva in 2021 between Putin and then-President Joe Biden.
In Kyiv, reactions to the possible meeting were mixed. Some residents said negotiations are essential to ending the war, while others feared it would diminish Ukraine’s influence and allow Putin to dodge sanctions without making real concessions.
Ukraine’s Diplomatic Push
Zelenskyy, who spoke with several European leaders Thursday, reiterated that any peace settlement must include Ukraine and provide long-term security guarantees involving both the U.S. and Europe.
“Ukraine is not afraid of meetings and expects the same bold approach from the Russian side. It is time to end the war,” Zelenskyy said on social media.
He also noted that Russian attacks on civilians continue despite Trump’s public calls for Putin to ease the violence. On Wednesday, a Russian strike in Ukraine’s Dnipro region killed four people and injured eight.
Public Opinion Shift in Ukraine
A new Gallup poll suggests growing Ukrainian appetite for negotiations. Conducted in early July, the survey found that about 70% of Ukrainians want their government to seek a settlement soon, a reversal from 2022 when three-quarters preferred to keep fighting until victory.
Only 25% now support continuing the war indefinitely. The polling excluded about 10% of the population living under entrenched Russian control.
The Road Ahead
If held, a Trump-Putin summit could mark a significant diplomatic moment, but experts caution that Moscow and Kyiv remain far apart on the terms for peace. Western officials accuse Putin of using negotiations to buy time for military gains, while Russia insists any settlement must be on its terms.
With the White House deadline looming and both leaders signaling interest, the next week could determine whether the proposed meeting becomes a turning point — or just another missed opportunity in a war that has already taken a staggering human toll.
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