The Kremlin has rejected talk of an imminent summit between Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelensky. At the same time, Donald Trump renewed calls for the two leaders to meet and discuss ending the war in Ukraine.
The push for direct dialogue followed Trump’s meeting with Putin in Alaska last week. On Monday, he welcomed Zelensky and seven European leaders to the White House.
Trump admitted the conflict would be hard to solve. He warned that Putin might not want to stop the fighting. “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 suggests talks could proceed without him
Trump said Putin would face “a rough situation” if he avoided negotiations, but gave no details. Later, he suggested that Putin and Zelensky might be better off meeting without him. The remarks came in a late-night interview with conservative host Mark Levin.
The US president added he would attend “if necessary” but wanted to wait before committing.
Putin told Trump on Monday he was “open” to direct talks with Ukraine. Yet Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov later softened that pledge. He insisted talks must begin at expert level and move step by step.
Russian deputy envoy to the UN Dmitry Polyanskiy confirmed that no one had rejected negotiations. But he warned the summit should not become “a meeting for the sake of a meeting.”
Nato prepares strategy as Moscow floats its own plan
Nato military chiefs will hold a virtual meeting on Wednesday. Britain’s defence leader, Admiral Tony Radakin, has travelled to Washington for talks on a reassurance force in Ukraine.
Reports claim Putin suggested Zelensky travel to Moscow for discussions. Kyiv was highly unlikely to accept such an offer. Analysts described it as unrealistic and designed only to appear constructive.
Recent meetings appear to have given Trump more insight into the war’s complexities. He now recognises the wide gap between Moscow’s demands and Kyiv’s position.
Trump’s earlier promise of securing a quick ceasefire has faded. He now argues for a permanent peace deal backed by firm security guarantees for Ukraine.
Zelensky and European leaders pressed Trump on the importance of such guarantees. They said Ukraine’s sovereignty depends on them if a peace deal is reached.
Trump rules out US troops but offers air support
On Tuesday, Trump said the US could help Europe “by air” if its allies deployed troops in Ukraine. He ruled out sending American soldiers. He offered no details on whether air support meant surveillance, fighter jets, or other aircraft.
Meanwhile, France and the UK are leading a “coalition of the willing.” The group is preparing a reassurance force that could enter Ukraine after fighting ends.
After a virtual meeting on Tuesday, a Downing Street spokesperson said the coalition would soon meet US officials. They aim to secure stronger security guarantees for Kyiv.
Long-standing animosity clouds negotiations
After separate meetings with Putin and Zelensky, Trump said direct talks could bring peace closer. But he admitted there was “tremendous bad blood” between both leaders.
Putin and Zelensky last met in 2019. Since then, Russia’s invasion has caused tens of thousands of deaths, vast destruction, and relentless airstrikes on civilians.
Putin refuses to recognise Zelensky’s legitimacy. He blames him for Ukraine’s closer ties with the West. For years, Putin has claimed—without evidence—that Kyiv is ruled by a “neo-Nazi regime.” He demands leadership change as a condition for any ceasefire.
Russia also sees little incentive to negotiate while its forces dominate on the battlefield.
Still, Zelensky and European leaders back the idea of talks. Zelensky said he was open to “any format” of negotiations. Europeans have already floated potential locations for a summit.
They hope their push for dialogue will pressure Trump to adopt a firmer stance if Putin refuses to compromise.
European leaders remain sceptical
European allies appear more doubtful than Trump about Russia’s willingness to negotiate. On Tuesday, French President Emmanuel Macron called Putin “a predator, and an ogre at our doorstep.” He said he strongly doubted Moscow would seek peace.
Finnish President Alexander Stubb voiced similar concerns. He said Putin was “rarely to be trusted” and doubted a meeting with Zelensky would take place.
More high-level talks are scheduled in the coming days. European leaders remain unsure how far Trump will go in backing their security.
