Preparations are in progress for an anticipated in-person meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, as stated by Russia’s deputy foreign minister on Saturday. This development signifies a significant shift from the approach taken by Western nations to isolate Russia amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
In remarks made to Russian state media, Sergei Ryabkov indicated that a potential summit could encompass a range of global issues beyond the conflict in Ukraine. He mentioned, “The objective is to initiate the normalization of relations between our countries, locating avenues to address the most pressing and potentially perilous situations, including Ukraine.”
However, Ryabkov noted that efforts to arrange such a meeting are still in the nascent stages, asserting that achieving it will necessitate “the most intensive preparatory work.” He further stated that U.S. and Russian diplomats could convene within the next fortnight to facilitate discussions among senior officials.
During a meeting of Russian and U.S. representatives in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, an agreement was reached to initiate steps aimed at concluding the war in Ukraine and enhancing diplomatic and economic relations. This marks an extraordinary turnaround in U.S. foreign policy under Trump. Senior officials from the U.S. have hinted that Ukraine might need to reconsider its aspirations for NATO membership and the reinstatement of the 20% of its territory that Russia has laid claim to.
After the discussions, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio communicated that both parties had collectively decided to focus on three primary objectives: restoring personnel levels at their embassies, forming a high-level team to assist in peace negotiations regarding Ukraine, and investigating closer ties along with economic collaboration. He emphasized that these discussions—attended by his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov and other high-ranking officials—represent an initial step forward, requiring continued efforts.
Lavrov described the meeting as “very useful”; however, it is notable that no representatives from Ukraine were present during the Saudi talks. This absence is particularly poignant as the Ukrainian military continues to face challenges against a larger Russian force nearly three years following Moscow’s comprehensive invasion of its neighbor.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that any outcomes from the discussions would be unacceptable to Ukraine due to its lack of participation, leading him to postpone a scheduled trip to Saudi Arabia the previous Wednesday. Concerns about being marginalized have also been expressed by Ukraine’s European allies.
In a shift in tone, Trump on Friday seemed to retract previous statements that inaccurately assigned blame to Kyiv for instigating the conflict, yet asserted that both Zelenskyy and former President Joe Biden could have done more to negotiate with Putin. He remarked, “Russia attacked, but they shouldn’t have let him attack,” during a radio conversation with Fox News host Brian Kilmeade.
Since the onset of the invasion on February 24, 2022, Putin has tried to justify his actions by falsely claiming it was to protect Russian-speaking individuals in eastern Ukraine and to prevent the nation from aligning with NATO. Later that day, Trump told reporters at the Oval Office that the war “barely affects the United States; it’s an ocean away. Its impact is more pronounced in Europe.”
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, who has often diverged from mainstream European positions on Ukraine, seemed to resonate with some of Trump’s recent statements. He referred to Ukraine as a “buffer zone” between NATO and Russia, suggesting that Hungary might obstruct Kyiv’s pursuit of EU membership.
Meanwhile, thousands of individuals brandishing blue-and-yellow Ukrainian flags rallied at the Russian Embassy in London on Saturday, demanding increased support for Ukraine and a seat at the negotiation table to resolve the extended conflict. The demonstrators voiced chants accusing Trump of being a “traitor to Ukraine.” Organizers called for the withdrawal of Russian forces and more military assistance to bolster Ukraine’s defense.
Next week, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is scheduled to visit Washington to engage in discussions centered on Ukraine, during which he has emphasized that no decisions regarding Ukraine’s future can be made without its involvement.
Starmer communicated with Zelenskyy on Saturday, reaffirming “the U.K.’s unwavering support for Ukraine and its commitment to ensuring a just and lasting peace to end Russia’s unlawful war,” according to an official announcement.
Ukraine’s allies in the EU also appeared to unite in their support, with the country’s foreign minister holding a series of bilateral discussions over Friday and Saturday aimed at coordinating diplomatic strategies amid evolving uncertainties surrounding Washington’s stance. Andrii Sybiha shared via social media that he had communicated with leading diplomats from France, Spain, Poland, Finland, and the Baltic states, among others.
He cautioned, “Permit Putin to achieve success would lead to catastrophic repercussions for the stability and way of life of every family in both Europe and the U.S. The repercussions of appeasement will be borne by ordinary citizens,” Sybiha remarked in a post on Saturday.
