Trump begins arrangements for Putin Zelenskyy meeting

A look at President Trump's push to stage a three way meeting with Putin and Zelenskyy and its potential impact on Ukraine diplomacy.

Trump begins arrangements for Putin Zelenskyy meeting to push trilateral talks

President Donald Trump said in the Oval Office that he has begun arranging a meeting between Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelenskyy, with the plan to join them for trilateral talks afterwards. The Kremlin issued a readout saying both leaders supported direct negotiations and proposed increasing the level of Ukrainian and Russian representatives, but it did not mention a direct one on one between Putin and Zelenskyy. Zelenskyy later signalled willingness to participate in a trilateral format, saying, "We are ready for the trilateral meeting." The episode follows previous U.S. efforts to bring the leaders together, including a May attempt in Turkey that did not proceed, and a Vatican outreach that also did not come to pass.

Analysts say such a move could set a visible diplomatic signal even as it does not guarantee a breakthrough. The plan would test Moscow's appetite for direct engagement and Western coordination among allies, and it raises questions about timing, location, and the conditions each side would demand. Past attempts show the Kremlin often uses staged talks to slow pace and seek concessions, while Ukraine and its partners have pressed for concrete guarantees and sustained pressure. If the talks materialize, they could reshape the diplomacy around the war, but the details will matter more than the promise.

Some see this as more political theater than a policy shift. Trump’s involvement could draw attention and shape expectations, while risking a misread of what Moscow is actually prepared to offer. The plan also tests how Europe and Ukraine respond to a signal that the United States seeks to steer talks through a three way format rather than direct bilateral discussions.

If the meeting happens, it could shift leverage toward Washington and its European partners, but it also risks elevating the role of a single leader in a crisis that requires broad coalitions and concrete terms. The Kremlin has repeatedly used delays and conditional formats to shape talks, and Kyiv will likely demand real guarantees and a timetable before making major concessions. The next moves will reveal whether diplomacy can outpace propaganda and stop the war from dragging on.

Highlights

Diplomacy lives in the details, not the headlines.