Trump-Putin summit preparations are under way, Russia says

The Russian Deputy Foreign Minister recently stated that U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin are preparing to hold a face-to-face meeting. This move stands in stark contrast to Western countries' efforts to isolate Moscow due to the war in Ukraine, drawing international attention. The potential meeting underscores a shift in diplomatic dynamics amid ongoing geopolitical tensions.

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said in an interview with Russian state media that the possible Putin-Trump summit could involve a broad discussion of global issues, not just the war in Ukraine. He emphasized that the meeting aims to normalize relations between the two countries and find ways to resolve the most serious and potentially dangerous situations, with the Ukraine issue being an important topic. This summit could be a crucial step toward de-escalation and improved communication.

Ryabkov also pointed out that the work to organize the meeting is still in the early stages and requires "the most intensive preparation." He added that U.S. and Russian envoys may meet in the next two weeks, paving the way for further talks between senior officials of the two countries. Previously, Russian and American representatives met in Saudi Arabia, where they agreed to begin efforts to end the war in Ukraine and improve diplomatic and economic relations between the two countries.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that the two sides agreed in principle to pursue three goals: restoring staffing at their respective embassies; establishing a high-level team to support peace talks in Ukraine; and exploring closer relations and economic cooperation. However, he stressed that the talks mark the beginning of a dialogue, and more work needs to be done. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov praised the meeting as "very beneficial." These initial agreements lay the groundwork for future negotiations and potential breakthroughs.

Ukrainian President Zelensky said that Ukraine would not accept any outcome of the talks because Kyiv did not participate in the meeting in Saudi Arabia, and postponed his scheduled visit to Saudi Arabia last Wednesday. European allies also expressed concerns about being marginalized. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer plans to visit Washington next week, focusing on the issue of Ukraine. He emphasized that any decisions about the future of Ukraine cannot be made without Kyiv's participation, highlighting the importance of Ukrainian involvement in any resolution.

Trump said in a radio interview, "Russia launched the attack, but they shouldn't have let him launch the attack," although he later clarified his previous remarks, which mistakenly blamed Kyiv for launching the war. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban's position is in stark contrast to mainstream European views, describing Ukraine as a "buffer zone" between Russia and NATO, and hinting that Budapest may block Kyiv's efforts to join the EU. Orban's stance reflects a divergence in opinion regarding Ukraine's geopolitical role and future within Europe.

Meanwhile, thousands of people waving blue and yellow Ukrainian flags marched to the Russian Embassy in London, demanding more support for Ukraine and a seat at the table in negotiations to end the three-year war. Protesters chanted "Trump, you are not a friend, you are a traitor to Ukraine." Organizers called for the withdrawal of Russian troops and increased military aid to Kyiv to strengthen Ukraine's position. These demonstrations underscore the ongoing public support for Ukraine and the demand for a resolution that includes Ukrainian input.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha said he held bilateral calls with senior diplomats from countries including France, Spain, Poland, Finland and the Baltic states to coordinate diplomatic efforts. He emphasized, "Allowing Putin to succeed will have catastrophic consequences for the stability and common way of life of every family in Europe and the United States. The price of appeasement will be borne by ordinary people." This coordination aims to strengthen international support for Ukraine and prevent further escalation of the conflict.