US President Donald Trump is reportedly planning a one-on-one meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin as early as next week, followed by trilateral talks involving Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky, according to a New York Times report citing unnamed sources. The development signals a potential shift in diplomatic efforts to address the ongoing Ukraine conflict, though key details remain undisclosed.
The reported plan emerged during a recent phone call between Trump and several European leaders, including British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, alongside US officials such as Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Special envoy Steve Witkoff, who met with Putin in Moscow earlier this week, also participated. Trump characterized that prior meeting as “very productive,” claiming “great progress” had been made toward ending the war and that both sides agreed to advance negotiations “in the days and weeks to come.” He shared these updates publicly on Truth Social and privately with allies, though specifics of the discussions were not disclosed.
Zelensky, who was reportedly included in the call, confirmed a “conversation with President Trump” and reiterated his desire to resolve the conflict with Russia. The Ukrainian leader has consistently emphasized the need for diplomatic solutions while advocating for international support. According to the Times, Trump outlined intentions to hold separate talks with Putin before engaging Zelensky in three-way negotiations. European leaders on the call reportedly “accepted” the proposal, though none are expected to participate directly in the planned meetings.
Moscow’s stance remains cautiously open to dialogue. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov noted last week that a Trump-Putin meeting was not immediately on the agenda, citing strained bilateral ties and an “unprecedented number of mutual irritants” that complicate normalization efforts. However, Russian officials have consistently stated readiness for peace talks contingent on acknowledging current battlefield dynamics and addressing the conflict’s root causes—a reference to longstanding security grievances preceding the 2022 invasion.
The reported diplomatic flurry comes amid heightened global attention on Ukraine’s resistance and Western aid commitments. While Trump’s approach suggests a potential push for accelerated negotiations, significant hurdles persist, including divergent views on territorial claims and security guarantees. Analysts caution that any viable agreement would require balancing Ukraine’s sovereignty demands with Russia’s strategic interests, a challenge that has stalled previous mediation attempts.
As developments unfold, the international community remains watchful for concrete steps toward de-escalation, with the proposed high-stakes meetings poised to test the viability of renewed diplomacy in a conflict now entering its third year.
