The Kremlin has downplayed the possibility of an early summit between Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelensky. At the same time, Donald Trump has urged both leaders to meet and discuss ways to end the war in Ukraine.
His push for dialogue followed a meeting with Putin in Alaska last week. On Monday, Trump hosted Zelensky and seven European leaders at the White House.
Trump admitted the conflict would be tough to solve. He warned that Putin might not be willing to pursue peace. “We’re going to find out about President Putin in the next couple of weeks,” he said on Tuesday. “It’s possible that he doesn’t want to make a deal.”
Trump keeps role limited
Trump said Putin would face “a rough situation” if he resisted talks, though he offered no details. Later, he suggested Zelensky and Putin might meet without him. He shared this view in a late-night interview with conservative host Mark Levin.
He said he would join a meeting “if necessary” but preferred to wait and see.
On Monday, Putin told Trump he was “open” to direct talks with Ukraine. A day later, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov softened that stance. He said any summit must begin with expert-level talks and proceed step by step.
Russia’s deputy UN envoy Dmitry Polyanskiy also insisted talks had not been ruled out. But he stressed that a summit should not happen “for the sake of a meeting.”
Nato reviews military options
Nato’s chiefs will hold a virtual meeting on Wednesday. Britain’s Admiral Tony Radakin is in Washington to discuss a reassurance force in Ukraine.
Reports claimed Putin suggested Zelensky could travel to Moscow for talks. Such an idea was seen as unrealistic and unacceptable to Kyiv. Analysts said the move was likely aimed at appearing constructive.
Trump has shown a deeper grasp of the war’s complexity and the gulf between Russia and Ukraine.
His earlier promise of a quick ceasefire has not been realised. Now he says both sides should move toward a lasting peace deal.
European leaders and Zelensky pressed him to support strong security guarantees for Ukraine. They called them essential for Kyiv’s sovereignty.
US support remains vague
On Tuesday, Trump said the US could provide air support if Europe supplied ground troops in Ukraine. He ruled out sending American soldiers. He did not clarify whether air support meant drones, intelligence, or fighter aircraft.
Meanwhile, France and the UK lead a “coalition of the willing.” They are drawing up plans for a reassurance force that could move in if hostilities end.
After a virtual meeting on Tuesday, Downing Street confirmed the group would meet US counterparts. They aim to finalise robust guarantees for Ukraine’s security.
Historic animosity weighs on peace efforts
Following meetings with Putin and Zelensky, Trump said direct talks might bring peace closer. Still, he admitted “tremendous bad blood” separated the two leaders.
They last met in 2019. Since then, Russia’s invasion has caused mass casualties, vast destruction, and ongoing airstrikes on civilian areas.
Putin refuses to recognise Zelensky’s legitimacy and blames him for closer ties to the West. He has long promoted false claims of a “neo-Nazi regime” in Kyiv. He insists any ceasefire must involve regime change.
Moscow also has little interest in talks while holding advantages on the battlefield.
Yet Zelensky and European leaders continue to back the idea of a summit. Zelensky said he was open to “any format” of discussions. Europeans have already proposed potential venues.
They hope by promoting dialogue they can pressure Trump to toughen his stance if Putin resists compromise.
Europe remains doubtful
European leaders remain sceptical about Moscow’s intentions. On Tuesday, French President Emmanuel Macron called Putin “a predator, and an ogre at our doorstep.” He voiced deep doubt about Russia’s willingness to seek peace.
Finnish President Alexander Stubb also expressed mistrust. He said Putin was “rarely to be trusted” and doubted a meeting with Zelensky would ever take place.
More high-level talks are expected in the coming days. Questions persist over how firmly Trump will align with Europe’s security needs.
