The Kremlin has confirmed that Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump will meet “in the coming days,” raising hopes, and fears, of a possible breakthrough in ending the ongoing Ukraine war.
The announcement followed a three-hour meeting in Moscow between Putin and Trump’s envoy, Steve Witkoff, as Trump pushes to resolve the 3½-year-long conflict that has devastated Eastern Europe.
Trump, frustrated by Russia’s continued aggression, has threatened new sanctions starting Friday on Moscow and nations still purchasing Russian exports. Already, he has imposed higher tariffs on India over Russian oil purchases and warned that China may face similar penalties.
Ukraine President Zelenskiy, speaking after talks with EU leaders, insisted that Europe must be directly involved in any peace process. “The war is happening in Europe, and Ukraine is already in negotiations on EU accession,” he said on X. “Europe must be a participant in the relevant processes.”
Zelenskiy reaffirmed Ukraine’s readiness to engage in diplomacy but warned against a settlement that would undermine Kyiv’s sovereignty. “The near future must show what the consequences will be if Russia continues to drag out the
