Putin-Trump Summit in the Works amid mounting pressure over Ukraine War

While no official location or date has been confirmed, Russian foreign affairs adviser Yuri Ushakov stated that arrangements were agreed to “in principle.” A White House official, speaking anonymously, said the U.S. was still finalizing plans and that new sanctions on Russia are likely if Putin fails to show commitment to peace efforts.

No Zelenskyy, No Summit?

The possibility of including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in the proposed summit remains a sticking point. Trump has reportedly expressed interest in involving Zelenskyy, but Putin dismissed the idea for now, saying certain “conditions need to be created” for such a meeting.

Putin’s position has raised alarms in Kyiv, where officials fear being sidelined in what could be a pivotal round of negotiations between the U.S. and Russia. “It’s a possibility,” Putin said of Zelenskyy’s involvement, “but the focus for now is on a successful bilateral meeting with Trump.”

Washington’s Deadline and Kyiv’s Unease

Trump’s administration has made clear that without Ukrainian participation, a summit with Putin may not proceed. Still, the Kremlin appears to prioritize a bilateral dialogue to reset relations and discuss economic cooperation, particularly in areas such as rare earth elements, according to Russian sovereign wealth fund head Kirill Dmitriev.

This would be the first U.S.-Russia summit since 2021. Trump, now in his second term, has oscillated between admiration and frustration toward Putin, recently threatening harsher sanctions if Russia remains unyielding.

Meanwhile, Ukraine remains under fire. A Russian airstrike in Dnipro on Wednesday killed four civilians and injured eight, further darkening the diplomatic atmosphere.

Gallup Poll: Ukrainians Shift Toward Negotiated Peace

A new Gallup poll shows a dramatic change in Ukrainian public opinion. While three-quarters of Ukrainians wanted to fight until victory in 2022, only 25% now support continued military resistance, with the majority favoring negotiated settlement.

Yet skepticism remains. Only a quarter of Ukrainians believe the war will end within a year. Zelenskyy reiterated his readiness to meet Putin but stressed any deal must involve European nations and include security guarantees.

Outlook Unclear Amid Diplomatic Flurry

As diplomatic activity intensifies, the world watches whether the proposed Trump-Putin meeting will mark a breakthrough or further complicate the path to peace. Months of U.S.-led negotiations have yielded little progress, and Putin’s refusal to offer concessions continues to block potential resolutions.

With thousands of civilians and troops killed and cities destroyed across Ukraine, the urgency for a comprehensive ceasefire grows.

Amnewsworld will continue monitoring developments and provide timely updates as details of the summit and its implications unfold.