US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin are set to meet in person in the coming days, confirmed by a top Kremlin aide, Yuri Ushakov. This meeting will be the first high-level bilateral discussion between the two leaders since Trump’s return to office in 2025. According to Ushakov, preliminary agreements on the timing and venue have been made, and both sides are currently finalizing the details. The exact location of the summit is expected to be announced soon, marking a significant moment in US-Russia relations during a period of heightened global tensions.

The anticipated Trump-Putin meeting follows a series of diplomatic efforts linked to the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, which has lasted over three years. Trump’s administration has recently imposed a deadline on Russia to cease hostilities or face intensified economic sanctions. US envoy Steve Witkoff traveled to Moscow for talks with Putin, and President Trump described these discussions as “useful and constructive,” though not a breakthrough. This diplomatic push is coupled with the threat of “secondary tariffs” on countries trading with Russia, affecting key allies and partners, such as India.

In addition to the bilateral summit, Trump has expressed his intention to arrange a follow-up meeting that would also include Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. During a call with European leaders, Trump announced plans for a trilateral discussion aimed at brokering peace. Zelensky participated in the call and emphasized the necessity of an “honest end” to the war. However, it remains uncertain whether Putin and Zelensky have formally agreed to this trilateral meeting. The US administration has been actively coordinating with European allies, who support efforts to halt the conflict while balancing support for Ukraine.

The broader context of Trump’s engagement with Putin involves complex geopolitical dynamics. While Trump initially sought a swift resolution to the Ukraine crisis, he has grown increasingly firm on sanctions and pressure tactics. The Kremlin has acknowledged signals exchanged between the two countries and is actively collaborating on meeting logistics. Despite the anticipation surrounding the summit, analysts remain cautious about the prospects for a meaningful peace deal, given the deep divisions between Russia and Ukraine on key terms. The meeting represents a critical diplomatic step but no guarantee of conflict resolution.