The Kremlin has dismissed talk of an imminent summit between Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelensky. Donald Trump meanwhile urged the two leaders to meet and seek an end to the war in Ukraine.
His remarks followed a meeting with Putin in Alaska last week. On Monday, he hosted Zelensky and seven European leaders at the White House.
Trump admitted the conflict would be difficult to solve. He warned that Putin might not be interested in 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 signals limited involvement
Trump said Putin would face “a rough situation” if he blocked progress, though he gave no details. Later, he suggested Zelensky and Putin might meet without him. He made the comment during a late-night interview with conservative host Mark Levin.
Trump added he would join such a meeting “if necessary” but preferred to see how things developed.
Putin told Trump on Monday he was “open” to talks with Ukraine. The next day, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov scaled back that pledge. He said discussions must begin at expert level and proceed step by step.
Russia’s deputy UN envoy Dmitry Polyanskiy stressed negotiations had not been ruled out. Still, he warned against holding “a meeting for the sake of a meeting.”
Nato weighs military posture
Nato chiefs are set to meet virtually on Wednesday. Britain’s Admiral Tony Radakin is in Washington for talks on a reassurance force in Ukraine.
Reports claimed Putin suggested Zelensky could visit Moscow for talks. Kyiv was unlikely to accept such a proposal, seen as unrealistic and symbolic.
Trump now appears more aware of the war’s complexity and the gulf between Moscow’s demands and Kyiv’s stance.
His earlier promise of a quick ceasefire has faded. He now supports a permanent peace deal with strong security guarantees for Ukraine.
Zelensky and European leaders pressed him to back such guarantees. They argued these commitments are crucial for Ukraine’s sovereignty.
US role stays uncertain
On Tuesday, Trump said the US could provide air support if Europe deployed ground forces in Ukraine. He ruled out sending American troops. He did not specify whether air support meant fighter aircraft, drones, or intelligence.
France and the UK lead a “coalition of the willing” preparing for a reassurance force. The group would deploy if hostilities ended.
After a virtual meeting on Tuesday, Downing Street said the coalition would soon meet US officials. Their goal is to finalise robust guarantees for Ukraine’s security.
Old hostilities linger
After meeting Putin and Zelensky, Trump said direct talks could help peace efforts. Yet he admitted “tremendous bad blood” remained between them.
The two leaders last met in 2019. Since then, Russia’s invasion has caused tens of thousands of deaths, widespread destruction, and relentless strikes on civilian areas.
Putin refuses to recognise Zelensky’s legitimacy and blames him for closer ties to the West. He repeats false claims of a “neo-Nazi regime” in Kyiv and insists any ceasefire must involve leadership change.
Moscow has little interest in talks while maintaining an advantage on the battlefield.
Still, Zelensky and European leaders favour a summit. Zelensky said he was open to “any format” of talks. Europeans have suggested several possible venues.
They hope supporting dialogue might push Trump to harden his stance if Putin resists compromise.
Europe voices mistrust
European leaders remain cautious about Russia’s intentions. On Tuesday, French President Emmanuel Macron called Putin “a predator, and an ogre at our doorstep.” He voiced “the greatest doubt” about Moscow’s willingness for peace.
Finnish President Alexander Stubb also cast doubt. He said Putin was “rarely to be trusted” and sceptical about a Zelensky meeting.
Further high-level discussions are expected in the coming days. Questions linger over how firmly Trump will align with Europe on Ukraine’s security.
