Putin Agrees To Meet Zelenskyy In Planned Trump-Backed Summit

US President Donald Trump has initiated and is actively facilitating a potential meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in an effort to advance peace talks and end the ongoing war in Ukraine. The proposal, announced after Trump’s August 2025 summit with Zelenskyy and European leaders, has led to preparations for a trilateral meeting, with the location likely to be in Europe, possibly Hungary or Switzerland. Trump emphasized his role as a dealmaker and has communicated directly with Putin to arrange the talks, while Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed Putin's agreement to meet Zelenskyy, highlighting the significance of direct dialogue after years of stalemate. However, the initiative has sparked division among Western allies, with leaders like German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Zelenskyy insisting on a ceasefire and firm security guarantees before substantive negotiations can occur. Zelenskyy also stressed the importance of meeting without preconditions to avoid giving Russia leverage, while French President Emmanuel Macron expressed skepticism about Putin’s intentions but praised the US commitment to support Ukraine’s security. The trilateral talks are anticipated to take place within weeks, with Vice President JD Vance and other US officials coordinating efforts to finalize arrangements and discuss NATO-style security guarantees for Ukraine.