Donald Trump Revises Stance on Meeting Vladimir Putin Amid Ukraine Conflict
In a recent development, Donald Trump has softened his previous assertion that he would only engage in talks with Vladimir Putin if Volodymyr Zelenskyy also attended the summit. This shift comes as a critical deadline approaches for Russia to demonstrate progress in alleviating the ongoing war in Ukraine, or face further economic sanctions from the United States.
On Thursday, Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed his desire to meet with Trump next week, with the potential venue being the United Arab Emirates. This announcement coincided with a White House ultimatum for Russia to make strides toward ending the three-year conflict in Ukraine by Friday, or risk additional sanctions.
When asked if he would adhere to the Friday deadline, Trump remarked, "It’s going to be up to him. We’re going to see what he has to say. I’m very disappointed." He further clarified that a meeting with Zelenskyy was not a prerequisite for his discussion with Putin, stating, "No, he doesn’t."
Sky News’ US correspondent David Blevins commented on the uncertainty surrounding the potential meeting, noting that several critical questions remain unanswered. Specifically, it’s unclear whether Russia is genuinely inclined toward a ceasefire and if Putin is prepared to engage with Zelenskyy. Blevins emphasized, "It’s hard to see why Putin would be willing to compromise his red lines at this stage."
Two White House officials and a senior administration source indicated that secondary sanctions against Russia are still anticipated to take effect on Friday. Meanwhile, Trump announced via his Truth Social account that he would host Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan at the White House for an "official Peace Signing Ceremony" on Friday. He remarked, "These two nations have been at war for many years, resulting in thousands of deaths. Many leaders have tried to end the conflict without success, until now, thanks to ‘TRUMP.’"
Trump has long expressed his desire to add Ukraine to his list of conflicts he believes he could resolve, previously claiming he could do so within a single day during his election campaign last year. However, he has faced challenges since assuming office.
In light of recent discussions, a White House official previously indicated that a US-Russian summit would not occur unless Putin agreed to meet with Zelenskyy, although this statement later evolved to suggest that such a meeting was merely less likely. When asked about a potential meeting with Zelenskyy, Putin acknowledged, "I have nothing against it in general; it is possible," but emphasized that certain conditions must be met first, stating, "Unfortunately, we are still far from creating such conditions."
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt reiterated Trump’s commitment to engaging with both leaders, emphasizing his desire to see an end to the ongoing conflict. She noted, "The White House is working through the details of these potential meetings and will provide updates at the appropriate time."
As diplomatic efforts intensify, the White House is preparing for the possibility of a bilateral or trilateral meeting, with uncertainty remaining about Putin’s willingness to meet with Zelenskyy. In the meantime, Zelenskyy has been in contact with several European leaders, reflecting concerns within the Ukrainian government about being excluded from direct negotiations between Washington and Moscow.
Stay tuned for more updates on this evolving situation.
