Putin, Trump to meet in the coming days, Moscow says
Editor's note: The story was updated with comments by President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump are expected to hold a meeting in the coming days, Russian foreign policy aide Yuri Ushakov said on Aug. 7.
Preparations for the meeting are underway, while the venue has already been agreed upon, Ushakov added, according to the Russian state news agency TASS.
This would mark the first meeting between the presidents since Trump took office on Jan. 20
"At the suggestion of the American side, an agreement was reached in principle to hold a bilateral summit meeting in the coming days," Ushakov said.
"The target date was set for next week, but the parties are already starting to prepare for this important meeting, and it is difficult to say how many days the preparation will take."
The announcement follows a meeting between Putin and U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff on Aug. 6, just two days before Trump's deadline for Russia to agree to a ceasefire in Ukraine.
The New York Times reported that Trump is preparing not only for a one-on-one with Putin, but also for a potential trilateral meeting with President Volodymyr Zelensky shortly afterward.
Ushakov claimed that Witkoff "raised the idea of a trilateral meeting between Putin, Trump, and Zelensky," though Moscow has yet to formally comment on the proposal.
Zelensky stressed on Aug. 7 that a meeting at the level of leaders is a crucial step toward "truly lasting peace."
"We in Ukraine have repeatedly said that finding real solutions can be truly effective at the level of leaders," the Ukrainian president said on X.
"It is necessary to determine the timing for such a format and the range of issues to be addressed."
Trump initially gave Moscow 50 days to comply with a peace initiative when he announced the ultimatum on July 14, but has since expressed growing frustration with Russia's refusal to end its war.
Ukraine and Russia last met for direct talks in Istanbul on July 23. The meeting, which lasted less than an hour, ended without progress toward ending the hostilities as Russian representatives again rejected a full ceasefire.
Zelensky has repeatedly expressed openness to direct negotiations, including in a three-party format involving Trump. Putin has so far refused to meet in person, sending lower-level officials instead.
To pressure Moscow, Trump has escalated the use of economic measures. On Aug. 6, he signed an executive order imposing a 25% tariff on imports from India, citing its continued purchase of Russian oil.
The strategy targets Russia's oil sector, which funds roughly one-third of its federal budget and remains the primary source of financing for its war against Ukraine.
The talks would mark a significant diplomatic moment for Trump, who has touted his ability to end wars and negotiate peace deals.
