Putin and Zelensky Poised for Peace Summit After Trump Talks

Russian President Vladimir Putin, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Donald Trump

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky appeared set for a peace summit following rapid-fire talks in Washington between Donald Trump and European leaders on long-term security guarantees for Kyiv.

Optimism rose after Trump said he had spoken by phone with Putin—whom he met in Alaska last week—following what he described as “very good” discussions with Zelensky and European allies at the White House.

It would mark the first meeting between Putin and Zelensky since Moscow’s invasion nearly three and a half years ago, as Trump seeks to fulfil his pledge to swiftly end the war. “Everyone is very happy about the possibility of PEACE for Russia/Ukraine,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform.

Trump said he had begun arrangements for a bilateral meeting between Putin and Zelensky, to be followed by a three-way summit. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz later confirmed that Putin had agreed to talks within the next two weeks, though no date or location was announced.

Speaking outside the White House, Zelensky declared he was “ready” for direct talks with his longtime adversary. In Moscow, a Kremlin aide confirmed Putin was open to the “idea” of such a meeting.

The war has largely stalled despite recent Russian gains, and Trump’s earlier summit with Putin produced no ceasefire. European leaders, including those from Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Finland, and NATO, joined Trump and Zelensky in Washington to demonstrate support for Ukraine.

During a one-on-one Oval Office meeting, Zelensky described his latest exchange with Trump as their “best yet,” contrasting with the acrimonious February encounter marked by public tensions.

Trump said discussions focused on security guarantees for Ukraine, to be provided by European countries in coordination with the United States. NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte called the talks “very successful,” while Zelensky noted that allies aim to formalize guarantees within 10 days.

Still, concerns remain over Trump’s approach to Russia. Ahead of the talks, he had urged Ukraine to cede Crimea and abandon NATO aspirations—long-standing demands from Moscow.

European leaders voiced caution. French President Emmanuel Macron called for stronger sanctions if Putin fails to advance peace, while Finnish President Alexander Stubb warned Putin was “not to be trusted.” Merz stressed that Kyiv should not be pressured to surrender its Donbass territory, likening the demand to forcing the United States to give up Florida.