Trump, Putin meeting agreed on, Kremlin says, after Trump says there’s “good chance” he’ll meet with Putin and Zelenskyy
The United States and Russia have agreed from a meeting “in the coming days” between President Trump and his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, the Kremlin said on Thursday.
Putin’s foreign adviser Yuri Ushakov said that a place had been chosen and will be announced later and that the two parties are developing details but are targeting next week for the session.
The meeting would be their first since Mr. Trump returned to functions.
The Kremlin’s announcement came after Mr. Trump said on Wednesday that there was “good luck” that he will soon meet Putin and Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy – while Trump press Russia to finish his three -year invasion of Ukraine.
The White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said on Wednesday that Russia had suggested a meeting between Mr. Trump and Putin, and Trump was “open” at the idea of a meeting with Russia and the leaders of Ukraine.
Asked a few hours later if Putin and Zelenskyy had accepted a summit, Trump told journalists “there is a very good prospect that they will do.” He said he was not clear where the meeting would take place.
Mr. Trump’s comments came just before his deadline on Friday so that Russia concluded a cease-fire agreement with Ukraine or faces sanctions. It was not clear how the announcement of Trump-Putin’s meeting would affect this deadline.
Putin met Mr. Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff, in Moscow Earlier Wednesday. The American president described the meeting of several hours “very productive” several hours and wrote in a social article of truth that “great progress has been made” – a change of tone after Mr. Trump expressed frustration With Russia for much of last month.
Ushakov said on Thursday that Whitkoff mentioned Putin’s idea of a trilateral meeting in Putin, Trump and Zelensky, but Moscow “left this option, without comment”.
Trump also appealed Wednesday with European leaders and NATO secretary general, Mark Rutte.
A senior Trump administration official told CBS News on Wedkoff and Putin “went well” to CBS.
“The Russians are impatient to continue to engage with the United States,” said the official.
Asked about Witkoff-Putin’s meeting, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said: “We will have other discussions throughout the day, and I hope there will be announcements here soon. Perhaps positive, maybe not.”
On Thursday, Zelensky called for a face -to -face meeting with Putin to try to end the war, reports AFP from the French press agency.
“We, in Ukraine, said on several occasions that finding real solutions can be really effective in terms of leaders,” wrote Zelensky on social networks.
He also said that he had spoken with the German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and that “Europe had to participate in the relevant processes”.
“Ukraine is not afraid of meetings and awaits the same daring approach on the Russian side,” said Zelenskyy. “It’s time to end war. Thank you to everyone who helps!”
Trump pressed both Russia and Ukraine to reach a ceasefire, but he oscillated between blaming Putin and Zelenskyy for a lack of progress. In recent weeks, Trump has become irritated by Putin on Russia continuous attacks on Ukrainian cities.
Last week, Trump demanded that Putin concluded a cease-fire contract with Ukraine within 10 days, or Russia could face repercussions, including sanctions against Russia and country who are dealing with her. This deadline is exhausted on Friday.
“Secondary sanctions are expected to be implemented on Friday,” the senior Trump administration at CBS News said on Friday after Putin-Witkoff’s meeting.
Mr. Trump has already started targeting certain Russian business partners, Gify an additional 25% rate On Indian products on Wednesday because the South Asian country continues to buy Russia oil. This relates the total tax on Indian imports to 50%.
Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev – Vice -President of the Russian Security Council – responded to Trump’s sanction threats last week by warning: “Each new ultimatum is a threat and a step towards war.”
Mr. Trump Called Medvedev Declaration “Very provocative” and said that he ordered that two submarines were “positioned in the appropriate regions” in response.
At other times, Trump was unleashed in Zelenskyy and accused him of extending the invasion of Russia, which began in February 2022. two caseIts administration temporarily interrupted crucial American military aid to Ukraine before restoring expeditions.
Brian Dakss contributed to this report.
