WASHINGTON / MOSCOW – August 6:
U.S. President Donald Trump is reportedly open to holding separate and possibly joint meetings with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, as part of an accelerated diplomatic push to end the war in Ukraine. A White House official confirmed discussions are underway for a possible meeting as early as next week, marking a dramatic shift in U.S. engagement with the conflict.
The move follows a significant diplomatic development between U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff and Putin in Moscow, which Trump called “great progress” but stopped short of labeling a breakthrough. The two sides, according to Kremlin aides, exchanged “signals” around a potential ceasefire and broader cooperation between Washington and Moscow.
Main Points:
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Trump is open to meeting both Putin and Zelenskiy, possibly within days.
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Trump has set a Friday deadline for Russia to agree to end the Ukraine war or face secondary sanctions.
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Trump is threatening new tariffs on China over continued Russian oil imports, similar to those just imposed on India.
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Putin and Zelenskiy have not met since 2019 and remain publicly hostile toward one another.
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U.S. Treasury has warned of steep penalties for countries buying Russian oil, including China.
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A moratorium on airstrikes is under discussion but falls short of the full ceasefire sought by Ukraine and the U.S.
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Trump briefed European allies, including Germany, after Witkoff’s talks in Moscow.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed that both Putin and Zelenskiy have been invited to meet with Trump. “The president is open to engaging both leaders in a direct dialogue if it helps bring an end to the conflict,” she said.
The potential trilateral — a first if realized — would follow a one-on-one with Putin. Trump reportedly conveyed the idea to European leaders during a secure call, emphasizing his belief that direct diplomacy could work where other efforts have stalled.
Meanwhile, Trump issued fresh warnings to China, saying it could face the same tariff penalties India is now dealing with. Just days ago, the U.S. imposed an additional 25% tariff on Indian goods, raising the total tariff burden on some products to 50%, over India’s continued purchase of Russian oil. India called the decision “deeply unfortunate.”
Speaking to reporters, Trump said, “We did it with India. We’ll probably do it with a couple of others. One of them could be China.”
At the same time, tensions remain high on the battlefield. Reports suggest Russia has launched its heaviest airstrikes in months, killing dozens in Kyiv. In return, Ukraine has targeted Russian oil facilities, raising the stakes further.
Russian insiders told Reuters that Putin sees little benefit in bowing to more U.S. sanctions, believing that his military campaign is advancing and that previous waves of economic penalties have failed to shift the tide.
Zelenskiy, however, believes the tide is turning diplomatically. In his latest address, he claimed Moscow is showing “more inclination” toward a ceasefire, adding, “The pressure works. What matters now is not to be deceived in the details — not us and not the United States.”
A potential step forward could come in the form of a temporary airstrike moratorium, a proposal reportedly floated by Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko and now under discussion between Russian and U.S. officials. However, any such deal would be seen as only a first step, far short of Ukraine’s demand for a full withdrawal and lasting peace.
With Trump’s Friday deadline looming, much hinges on the next few days. If Moscow refuses to commit to peace terms, the White House is prepared to move ahead with secondary sanctions, potentially penalizing nations and businesses still engaged in Russian trade.
European leaders, already briefed by Trump, are watching closely — particularly as the U.S. weighs economic action that could ripple far beyond Russia.