Putin, Zelensky poised for peace summit after Trump-led talks

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky are expected to hold their first face-to-face meeting since the Russian invasion of Ukraine, following high-level diplomatic efforts led by U.S. President Donald Trump, reports BBC.

Trump announced the planned bilateral summit after talks in Washington with European leaders and a phone call with Putin. The summit, expected within two weeks at an undisclosed location, aims to revive stalled peace efforts more than three years into the war.

Speaking outside the White House, Zelensky confirmed his readiness to engage in direct talks. The Kremlin also signalled support for the idea. Trump said he would later convene a three-way summit involving both leaders.

Discussions in Washington centred on long-term security guarantees for Ukraine. Trump ruled out NATO membership for Kyiv but said the United States and European nations would coordinate new security commitments. NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte called the meeting "a breakthrough."

European leaders voiced cautious optimism but warned against concessions to Moscow. Trump has urged Kyiv to consider ceding Crimea and ending NATO ambitions—key Russian demands. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Finnish President Alex Stubb rejected any deal that compromises Ukraine’s territorial integrity.