Trump Coordinates Historic Summit Between Putin and Zelenskyy
Washington — President Donald Trump is making efforts to arrange a meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. This would mark their first in-person discussion since the onset of the Russian invasion of Ukraine over three years ago. During an appearance on Fox & Friends, Trump expressed his desire for the two leaders to meet without his immediate involvement, stating, “they haven’t been exactly best friends.”
Trump conveyed cautious optimism regarding the situation, expressing hope that Putin would act favorably. He remarked, “I hope President Putin is going to be good, and if he’s not, that’s going to be a rough situation.” He emphasized the need for Zelenskyy to exhibit flexibility in the negotiations.
The push for a summit follows a series of significant meetings at the White House on August 18, 2025, where Trump, Zelenskyy, and various European leaders convened. This gathering underscored the collective commitment to enhancing security guarantees as part of any potential peace agreement. Trump indicated that U.S. coordination could facilitate these guarantees.
Efforts for a Meeting Intensify
Following the meetings, Trump disclosed that he had reached out to Putin to discuss the summit. He described the conversation as “very good,” despite the late hour in Russia. Trump stated, “I told him that we’re going to set up a meeting with President Zelenskyy, and you and he will meet, and then after that meeting, if everything works out OK, I’ll meet and we’ll wrap it up.” He noted that a productive relationship between the two leaders is essential to avoid wasting time in negotiations.
After leaving the White House, Zelenskyy informed CBS News that no specific date had been finalized for the meeting with Putin. Nevertheless, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz suggested that it could occur within the next two weeks. In a post on X, Zelenskyy characterized the discussions in Washington as “truly a significant step toward ending the war and ensuring the security of Ukraine and our people.” He added, “We are already working on the concrete content of the security guarantees.”
A spokesperson for the Russian government stated that high-level discussions would occur, though they did not confirm Putin’s attendance. Trump, who met with Putin in Alaska the previous week, emphasized the urgency of the upcoming meeting, cautioning that delays could lead to further loss of life.
Security Guarantees as a Central Theme
During the White House discussions, security guarantees for Ukraine emerged as a critical topic. Zelenskyy described these guarantees as a “starting point towards ending the war.” U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio affirmed that the United States would collaborate with European and other allies to establish security assurances for Ukraine following the conflict, although he did not provide detailed plans.
French President Emmanuel Macron indicated that discussions around U.S. contributions to these guarantees could commence as early as the following day. Trump acknowledged that European leaders are prepared to “put people on the ground” to assist, and he reiterated the U.S. commitment to supporting Ukraine, particularly in terms of air capabilities.
While outlining his perspective on the situation, Trump stated, “There will be some form of security… It can’t be NATO, because that was a — that’s just not something that would ever, ever happen.”
As the potential summit between Putin and Zelenskyy looms, the focus remains on the delicate balance of international diplomacy and the pressing need for a resolution to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
