U.S. President Donald Trump has indicated that he may sit down for talks next week with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in an effort to end the war in Ukraine. Trump stated that he has already held phone conversations with European leaders regarding the matter. He also claimed that the recent meeting between Putin and Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, in Moscow was constructive.
On Wednesday (August 6), Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow.
The discussions were described as constructive and productive, covering topics such as the Ukraine war, bilateral strategic relations, and a potential framework for a ceasefire.
Speaking to reporters at the Oval Office on Wednesday, President Trump said, “We had some good discussions with President Putin today, and there is a very good possibility that we are heading toward the end of this war — the end of that road. It’s a long road, still a long way to go, but very possibly, a meeting could happen very soon.”
Trump made these comments following the meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff in Moscow.
Earlier, after the Putin-Witkoff meeting, Trump informed European leaders via a telephone call that he wants to meet with Putin as early as next week. He also expressed his intention to hold a trilateral meeting involving the Russian and Ukrainian presidents. A European government source confirmed the contents of that call.
Speaking to CNN, two White House officials stated that during the Putin-Witkoff meeting in Moscow, the Russian president proposed holding a meeting with Trump.
The officials added that Trump’s aides have already started preparations for the possible meeting.
Typically, such high-level diplomatic visits and meetings take time to organize, but Trump has instructed his team to expedite the process.
The White House said that while no specific location has been finalized yet, several potential venues are under discussion. The meeting could take place next week or the week after.
