Donald Trump plans to meet Putin, Zelenskyy as soon as next week, NYT reports

U.S. President Donald Trump plans to meet in person with Russian President Vladimir Putin as early as next week, the New York Times reported on Wednesday (August 6, 2025), citing two people familiar with the plan.

Mr. Trump then plans to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the newspaper reported, adding that the plans were disclosed in a call with European leaders on Wednesday.

Dangerous turn: On Trump and the Ukraine war 

The White House did not immediately respond to the report but earlier on Wednesday, Mr. Trump acknowledged that he spoke with European leaders after U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff’s “highly productive” meeting with Mr. Putin in Russia.

While noting that “great progress” was made during the meeting, Mr. Trump wrote on Truth Social: “Everyone agrees this War must come to a close, and we will work towards that in the days and weeks to come.”

Mr. Trump, who promised to end Russia’s war in Ukraine on “day one” during his presidential campaign, has held several phone calls with Putin and has met with Zelenskiy since returning to the White House in January.

However, in recent weeks, he has become increasingly frustrated with Moscow over a lack of progress towards ending the three-year conflict.

According to the New York Times, U.S. President Donald Trump plans to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin as early as next week, with a possible follow-up summit including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy ReutersMeduza. This development marks a significant turn toward leader-level diplomacy in the Ukraine conflict, which has been ongoing since early 2022.

What Sparked This Diplomatic Push?

The initiative reportedly followed a productive meeting in Moscow between Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, and President Putin. Trump described the encounter as “highly productive” and emphasized “great progress,” framing it as a step toward peace ReutersCNBC.

During a conference call with European leaders, Trump disclosed his intentions to engage directly with Putin—and then with both Putin and Zelenskyy together. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed this openness, stating, “The Russians expressed their desire to meet with President Trump, and the President is open to meeting with both President Putin and President Zelenskiy.” She added that Trump “wants this brutal war to end” ReutersIndia Today.

What Challenges Lie Ahead?

Despite the optimism, significant obstacles persist. No official time or location for these talks has been confirmed, leaving both logistics and diplomacy in flux ReutersThe GuardianIndia Today.

• Past summitry hurdles: Putin’s ICC arrest warrant complicates venue selection, disqualifying many host countries and narrowing options to places like Hungary, Turkey, or Saudi Arabia The Guardian.

• Skepticism from officials: U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and others caution that tangible steps toward peace—not just displays of diplomacy—are still needed. Hostilities and territorial disputes remain unresolved The GuardianPolitico.

• Timing and pressure tactics: Trump has imposed a self-declared Friday deadline for Russian peace terms; failure to meet that may trigger secondary sanctions on countries buying Russian energy ReutersCNBCThe Guardian.

Why It Matters

1. A bold diplomatic reset? A Trump–Putin face-to-face meeting would mark the first of its kind since 2021 and could represent a meaningful shift in tone—even if substantive outcomes remain unclear The GuardianCNBC.

2. Ukraine’s sovereignty question: Including Zelenskyy in a three-way summit is crucial for legitimacy, though it remains uncertain whether Putin will accept that condition AP NewsMeduza.

3. International response divide: Some European leaders may welcome the energy in diplomacy; others warn that sidelining Ukraine in negotiating peace is a dangerous precedent Reddit+1.

4. Sanctions as leverage: Trump’s sanctions-threat strategy indicates a hardline pressure front being leveraged alongside diplomacy, not in place of it CNBCThe Guardian.

What Comes Next?

• Watch for confirmations of meeting dates, venues, and participant agreements—especially whether Putin will accept a trilateral meeting including Zelenskyy.

• Check for evolving diplomatic posture from European leaders, as this could influence whether the summit has broader support or is seen as unilateral brinkmanship.

• Track potential sanctions or policy shifts from Washington as the deadline approaches—like more aggressive tariffs or secondary embargoes.

TL;DR

Trump is pursuing a breakthrough by aiming to meet Putin within the next week, with a possible subsequent summit including Zelenskyy. While touted as a push for peace, the plan faces logistical and political barriers—ranging from ICC-related travel complications to ambiguity over Ukraine’s inclusion. Sanctions loom as both a tool and a threat, shaping the contours of what may become a high-stakes diplomatic gambit.