The Kremlin has dismissed talk of an imminent meeting between Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelensky. Donald Trump has urged the two leaders to meet and work toward ending the war in Ukraine.
Trump made the call after meeting Putin in Alaska last week and hosting Zelensky alongside seven European leaders at the White House on Monday.
He admitted the conflict is difficult to resolve and warned that Putin might not want 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 hints at limited involvement
Trump said Putin would face a “rough situation” if he resisted negotiations but gave no further details. Later, he suggested Zelensky and Putin might meet without him, speaking during a late-night interview with conservative host Mark Levin.
He added he would attend if necessary but wanted to see how the talks develop.
Putin told Trump on Monday he was “open” to direct talks. The next day, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov downplayed the comment, saying discussions must start at the expert level and proceed step by step.
Russia’s deputy UN envoy Dmitry Polyanskiy emphasized that talks had not been rejected but warned against meetings “for the sake of a meeting.”
Nato prepares military discussions
Nato chiefs are set to hold a virtual meeting on Wednesday. Britain’s Admiral Tony Radakin is in Washington discussing a reassurance force in Ukraine.
Reports claimed Putin suggested Zelensky could travel to Moscow for talks, a proposal Kyiv was unlikely to accept. Analysts say Russia may have offered an unrealistic option deliberately.
Trump now appears to understand the conflict’s complexity and the gap between Moscow’s demands and Kyiv’s stance.
His earlier promise of a quick ceasefire has not materialized. He now supports a permanent peace deal with strong security guarantees for Ukraine.
Zelensky and European leaders have pressed him to endorse these guarantees, arguing they are critical for Ukraine’s sovereignty.
US role in conflict remains uncertain
On Tuesday, Trump said the US could provide air support if Europe deployed ground troops in Ukraine. He ruled out sending American soldiers and did not clarify whether air support would involve fighter jets, drones, or intelligence.
France and the UK lead a “coalition of the willing” preparing a reassurance force to deploy if hostilities end.
After a virtual meeting on Tuesday, Downing Street said the coalition would meet US officials soon to finalize security guarantees for Ukraine.
Deep tensions shadow peace prospects
Following his meetings with Putin and Zelensky, Trump said direct talks could advance peace but acknowledged “tremendous bad blood” between the leaders.
They last met in 2019. Since then, Russia’s invasion has caused tens of thousands of deaths, widespread destruction, and ongoing strikes on civilian areas.
Putin refuses to recognize Zelensky’s legitimacy and blames him for Ukraine’s Western ties. He repeats false claims of a “neo-Nazi regime” and insists any ceasefire must involve leadership change.
Moscow has little interest in negotiations while holding an advantage on the battlefield.
Still, Zelensky and European leaders back a summit. Zelensky said he is open to “any format” of talks. Europeans have suggested possible venues.
They hope supporting dialogue could convince Trump to take a tougher stance if Putin resists compromise.
Europe expresses skepticism
European leaders remain wary of Russia’s intentions. On Tuesday, French President Emmanuel Macron called Putin “a predator, and an ogre at our doorstep,” voicing doubt about Moscow’s willingness for peace.
Finnish President Alexander Stubb said Putin was “rarely to be trusted” and questioned whether a meeting with Zelensky would happen.
Further high-level talks are expected in the coming days. Questions remain about how strongly Trump will support Europe on Ukraine’s security.
