Trump Pushes for Peace: Plans Surprise Meeting with Putin and Zelensky to End Ukraine War

Published: 07 August ‘2025. The English Chronicle Desk

In a move that could signal a dramatic shift in the course of the Ukraine conflict, US President Donald Trump has announced plans to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin as early as next week, followed by a three-way summit that would include Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. The unprecedented effort has raised cautious optimism on the global stage, with some viewing it as the most significant attempt yet to bring an end to over three years of devastating warfare.

The announcement, first shared with key allies and reported by The New York Times, has already triggered a flurry of diplomatic activity. President Zelensky, after speaking with Trump by phone, expressed tentative hope that Moscow might finally be ready for peace, saying, “It seems that Russia is now more inclined to a ceasefire, the pressure on them is working.”

That pressure has been mounting rapidly. Even as talks of diplomacy emerged, President Trump applied fresh sanctions on Russia and labelled the country an “extraordinary threat” to US national security. In a bold economic move, Trump also announced a new 25% trade tariff on India for its continued purchase of Russian oil, signaling his administration’s intent to cut off revenue streams that fuel the Kremlin’s war efforts.

“My special envoy, Steve Witkoff, just had a highly productive meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin,” Trump wrote on Truth Social, adding that “great progress was made.” The meeting in Moscow reportedly lasted three hours and marks one of the most substantial backchannel engagements since the start of the war.

According to sources close to the administration, the first planned meeting would be a closed-door session between Trump and Putin, followed by trilateral discussions with Zelensky. Notably, European leaders will be excluded from both phases of the negotiations, a move that has sparked quiet concern among some EU officials but underscores Trump’s intention to take direct control of the peace process.

Despite the flurry of developments, the US president struck a measured tone when addressing the press later in the day. “I don’t call it a breakthrough,” he said from the Oval Office. “I mean, we’ve been working on this a long time.” He refused to disclose further details about the meeting’s timing or location but reiterated that it would take place “soon.”

The Trump administration appears to be walking a tightrope—balancing diplomatic outreach with a tightening noose of sanctions. The White House confirmed that secondary sanctions on nations continuing trade with Russia are still on track to be imposed by Friday. And when asked about further action, Trump did not rule out extending penalties to other major players, including China.

“It’s only been eight hours,” he said of the diplomatic developments. “Let’s see what happens over the next sanctions. You’re going to see a lot more.”

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio echoed Trump’s measured optimism in an appearance on Fox Business. “Today was a good day, but we got a lot of work ahead,” he said. “There’s still many impediments to overcome, and we hope to do that over the next few days and hours.”

Meanwhile, Zelensky struck a hopeful yet cautious tone. “The main thing is that they [the Russians] do not deceive us in detail, neither us nor the United States,” he warned. His comments suggest a wariness born of long negotiations and repeated violations by Moscow.

Yet, with both sides now engaged and a summit possibly days away, the momentum appears to be shifting. Whether it results in lasting peace or another chapter of failed diplomacy remains to be seen. But for now, the world watches and waits as the three leaders inch toward what could become one of the most consequential meetings of the decade.

If the upcoming talks bear fruit, it may mark a defining moment—not just for the war-torn region of Ukraine, but for global diplomacy in an era where personal power plays often define the fate of nations.