President Donald Trump has admitted that Russian President Vladimir Putin’s true intentions regarding a peace deal for Ukraine are a mystery that will likely be solved in the coming weeks. This acknowledgement of uncertainty comes even as his administration actively works to set up a direct meeting between Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
“We’re going to find out about President Putin in the next couple of weeks,” Trump said, adding, “It’s possible that he doesn’t want to make a deal.” This candid assessment was balanced by his expressed hope that the Russian leader is “tired” of the war and ready for a resolution. This dual perspective underscores the high-stakes gamble of the current diplomatic push.
The White House has nevertheless projected confidence, announcing that Putin agreed to meet Zelenskyy within two weeks during a recent phone call with Trump. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed the U.S. is working with both parties to facilitate the talks. Moscow, however, has been more guarded, with its foreign minister stressing the need for extensive preparation before any such summit.
President Zelenskyy is poised to enter these potential negotiations with a clear agenda: to discuss the future of Russian-held Ukrainian territory directly with Putin. The separate but related track of security guarantees is being pursued with NATO and other allies, with the U.S. suggesting it could contribute air support as part of a future agreement.