Trump Plans Meetings with Putin, Zelensky on Ukraine Peace

President Donald Trump is planning to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin as early as next week to discuss peace negotiations concerning the Ukraine conflict, with a potential subsequent trilateral meeting including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. This initiative follows a recent meeting between Putin and U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff in Moscow, which Trump described as making "great progress" though he stopped short of calling it a breakthrough. The White House confirmed that Russia expressed interest in meeting Trump, and the president is open to meetings with both Putin and Zelenskyy. Trump conveyed his plans during a call with European leaders and emphasized that the meetings might proceed without European participation, although European leaders have expressed some agreement with the initiative. The diplomatic push coincides with a U.S. deadline for Russia to agree to peace terms or face severe new sanctions targeting countries purchasing Russian exports, with energy markets showing volatility amid these developments. While the meeting is planned, the White House also acknowledges the possibility that the summit may not materialize.