Kremlin officials announced on Thursday that a meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and former President Donald Trump has been tentatively scheduled. They indicated that it could happen next week at a location that’s yet to be finalized.
“This was proposed by the US,” said Yuri Ushakov, a foreign advisor to Putin, during a press briefing.
Although Ushakov mentioned next week as the goal for the summit, he also pointed out that organizing such events takes time, so nothing is set in stone yet. Details of potential venues will be shared later, he added.
He suggested there’s a chance Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky might join this summit to discuss Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which began three years prior.
“I think it’s crucial that we focus on making the meeting with Trump as successful and productive as possible,” Ushakov stated.
This would be the first encounter between Putin and Trump since the start of Trump’s presidency earlier this year.
However, it’s unclear whether this meeting will result in any real resolution, given the significant distance between Russia and Ukraine regarding their demands. Still, it could represent an important moment in the ongoing conflict.
Western officials have repeatedly accused Putin of using peace talks to gain time for troop movements, which has allowed Russia to capture more Ukrainian territory.
Historically, Putin has not shown a willingness to concede, insisting instead on negotiations that favor his position.
It was also uncertain if Trump’s deadline for Russia to halt hostilities in Ukraine, which was set for Friday, was still being observed.
Shifts in Ukrainian Sentiment
A recent Gallup poll revealed that Ukrainians are becoming more receptive to the idea of reconciliation to end the conflict brought on by the Russian invasion.
This shift in sentiment is quite notable compared to 2022, when about 75% of Ukrainians advocated for continuing the fight until a clear victory. Now, only about a quarter of respondents support ongoing military action, regardless of demographic factors.
The survey involved over 1,000 individuals aged 15 and older living in Ukraine, although regions currently under Russian control, which comprise around 10% of the population, were excluded from these results due to accessibility issues.
The UN estimates that more than 12,000 Ukrainian civilians have died since the onset of the full-scale war.
At the 620-mile frontline running through northeast to southeast Ukraine, Russian forces have slowly been gaining more ground, leading to significant losses on both sides.
Negotiations to halt the fighting face ongoing pressure, particularly from the potential for severe economic sanctions, as President Trump’s deadline approached.
A July Gallup survey found that roughly 70% of Ukrainians believe it’s essential to seek a negotiated resolution promptly.
In a recent move, President Zelensky renewed his proposal for a meeting with Putin, but Russia dismissed this overture as it maintains its stance, leaving both parties far apart in negotiations.
Most Ukrainians do not foresee a long-lasting peace materializing anytime soon, based on polling data. Only about a quarter believe that intense combat will end within the next year, while around 70% think such conflicts are unlikely to cease in the near future.
