After Moscow said Russian President Vladimir Putin will meet his US counterpart Donald Trump in the coming days, the White House said the meeting depends on one condition: Putin has to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy too.
"Putin must meet with Zelenskyy for the meeting to occur," a White House official was quoted as saying by the New York Post. "No location has been set."
This is in contradiction to Putin aide Yuri Ushakov's statement that the American side suggested that a bilateral summit meeting should be held between the US and Russian presidents. The White House has not confirmed any meeting officially.
Will Vladimir Putin agree to meet Volodymyr Zelenskyy?
In the past, Putin said he would meet Zelenskyy only when it comes to the final phase of negotiations. Reports suggest that Putin would agree to meet the Ukrainian leader if his "conditions" are met.
On the other hand, Zelenskyy has hinted that he is open to holding a summit, with suggestions about "two bilateral and one trilateral" meetings. He also insisted that Europe "must be a participant" in any talks. "Ukraine is not afraid of meetings and expects the same brave approach from the Russian side," Zelenskyy posted on X.
Trump is reportedly not optimistic about the potential trilateral meeting as he believes that despite making pledges of ceasefire privately, Putin has in the past launched ruthless airstrikes on Ukraine. The revelation came after US envoy Steve Witkoff held talks with Putin in Moscow on Wednesday.
This development comes as Trump's deadline for Russia to agree on a truce expires on Friday. If Putin fails to reach a ceasefire deal, Trump is expected to bring in blanket sanctions.
