Preparations are underway for a face-to-face meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, according to Russia’s deputy foreign minister. The summit would mark a significant shift from Western efforts to isolate Moscow due to its invasion of Ukraine.
Speaking to Russian state media, Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said the potential meeting would cover a range of global issues, with the war in Ukraine being a key topic. He emphasized that the goal is to start normalizing relations between the two countries and address critical global challenges, including the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
However, Ryabkov noted that discussions are still in the early stages and that extensive preparatory work is needed to organize the summit. He added that U.S. and Russian envoys are expected to meet within the next two weeks to lay the groundwork for further negotiations between senior officials.
The potential summit follows a meeting between Russian and U.S. representatives in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, where both sides agreed to pursue an end to the war in Ukraine and improve diplomatic and economic relations. This development marks a notable shift in U.S. foreign policy under Trump, with some senior U.S. officials suggesting that Ukraine may need to abandon its aspirations to join NATO and cede the 20% of its territory currently occupied by Russia.
After the meeting, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio told The Associated Press that both countries agreed on three main objectives: restoring embassy staffing in each other’s capitals, forming a high-level team to support Ukraine peace talks, and exploring ways to enhance economic cooperation.
Rubio emphasized that the discussions were only the beginning and that further negotiations would be necessary. His Russian counterpart, Sergey Lavrov, described the meeting as “very useful,” highlighting its potential to pave the way for future dialogue.
Notably, no Ukrainian officials were present at the Saudi meeting. Ukraine’s absence comes as its military continues to struggle against Russian forces nearly three years after the full-scale invasion began. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the talks, stating that his country would not accept any outcomes reached without its participation. In response, Zelenskyy postponed a planned trip to Saudi Arabia scheduled for last Wednesday. European allies have also expressed concerns that they are being sidelined from the negotiations.
Trump Softens Criticism of Kyiv
On Friday, President Trump appeared to soften his previous criticism of Ukraine, though he maintained that Zelenskyy and former U.S. President Joe Biden should have done more to prevent the Russian invasion. During a radio interview with Fox News host Brian Kilmeade, Trump acknowledged that “Russia attacked,” but added, “They shouldn’t have let him attack,” referring to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The Russian invasion began on February 24, 2022, with Putin falsely claiming that military action was necessary to protect Russian-speaking civilians in eastern Ukraine and to prevent Ukraine from joining NATO.
Later that day, Trump told reporters in the Oval Office that the war has minimal impact on the United States. “It doesn’t affect the United States very much. It’s on the other side of the ocean. It does affect Europe,” he said, underscoring his view that European nations should take the lead in supporting Ukraine.
Protests in London Demand Greater Support for Ukraine
Meanwhile, thousands of people gathered outside the Russian Embassy in London on Saturday, waving blue-and-yellow Ukrainian flags and demanding increased support for Ukraine. The protesters called for the withdrawal of Russian troops and urged Western governments to provide more military aid to bolster Ukraine’s defense.
Chanting “Trump you’re no friend, you’re a traitor to Ukraine,” the demonstrators expressed frustration with Trump’s stance on the conflict and his administration’s approach to peace talks.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is scheduled to visit Washington next week to discuss Ukraine with U.S. officials. Starmer has reiterated that any decisions regarding Ukraine’s future must involve Kyiv’s government.
During a phone call with Zelenskyy on Saturday, Starmer reaffirmed the United Kingdom’s unwavering support for Ukraine and its commitment to securing a “just and enduring peace” to end Russia’s “illegal war,” according to a statement from the prime minister’s office.
As preparations for the potential Trump-Putin summit continue, the international community remains divided over the best path forward, with Ukraine and its allies insisting that any resolution must respect the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
