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Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin to meet in coming days, Kremlin aide says Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin to meet in coming days, Kremlin aide says
(32 minutes later)
Watch: Trump says there is a "good prospect" of summit with Putin and Zelensky "very soon"Watch: Trump says there is a "good prospect" of summit with Putin and Zelensky "very soon"
US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin have agreed to meet in the "coming days", a Kremlin aide has said.US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin have agreed to meet in the "coming days", a Kremlin aide has said.
It follows Trump saying there was a "good chance" he could meet the Russian and Ukrainian leaders together in person "very soon" to discuss ending the war in Ukraine. It follows Trump saying there was a "good chance" he could meet his Russian and Ukrainian counterparts together in person "very soon" to discuss ending the war in Ukraine.
When asked at a White House briefing on Wednesday night whether Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Putin had agreed to a three-way summit, Trump said there was a "very good prospect", but did not elaborate. Trump's deadline for Russia to agree a ceasefire in Ukraine or face more sweeping sanctions is due to expire on Friday.
A deadline Trump has set for Russia to agree a ceasefire in Ukraine or face more sweeping sanctions is due to expire on Friday. A possible meeting between Trump and Putin would follow US envoy Steve Witkoff holding talks with the Russian president on Wednesday.
Russian news agencies quoting Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov say a location for a meeting between Trump and Putin had been agreed, with further details to be announced later. Witkoff has travelled to Moscow four times previously, visits followed by optimism from Trump but ultimately no major breakthrough in peace talks.
The official, who advises Putin on foreign affairs, said that all parties have begun working on the details. Trump was also asked at a White House briefing on Wednesday night whether Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Putin had agreed to a three-way summit, and he said there was a "very good prospect".
Ushakov noted the idea of a three-way summit was mentioned at talks between Trump's envoy Steve Witkoff and Putin in Moscow on Wednesday, but said Russia had left that option "without comment". Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov noted that the idea of a three-way summit was mentioned at talks in Moscow on Wednesday, but was quoted by Russian news agencies as saying the option was left by Russia "without comment".
Witkoff has travelled to the Russian capital four times this year. After each trip, Trump expressed optimism that a ceasefire was near. Zelensky indicated his support for a summit, saying on X: "We in Ukraine have repeatedly said that finding real solutions can be truly effective at the level of leaders."
Yet last month, he admitted to the BBC that on all four occasions, Putin had disappointed him. He added it was "necessary to determine the timing and the range of issues to be addressed".
But the US President is now striking a more cautious tone, telling reporters on Wednesday: "I don't call it a breakthrough...we have been working at this for a long time. There are thousands of young people dying... I'm here to get the thing over with." Ushakov said a location for a meeting between Trump and Putin had been agreed, with further details to be announced later.
On Wednesday, the Kremlin released a vague statement about Witkoff's visit, calling the discussions "constructive" and noting that both sides had exchanged "signals." The official, who advises Putin on foreign affairs, said all parties have begun working on the details.
The New York Times had earlier reported that Trump had hoped to meet Putin in person as soon as next week, with a potential three-way meeting with Zelensky to follow. Last month, Trump admitted to the BBC that after all four of Witkoff's previous visits, Putin had disappointed him after talks had initially led to optimism.
The US President is now striking a more cautious tone, telling reporters on Wednesday: "I don't call it a breakthrough...we have been working at this for a long time. There are thousands of young people dying... I'm here to get the thing over with."
On Wednesday, the Kremlin released a vague statement about Witkoff's visit, calling the discussions "constructive" and noting that both sides had exchanged "signals".
Zelensky meanwhile said he had spoken to Trump about Witkoff's visit, with European leaders also on the call.Zelensky meanwhile said he had spoken to Trump about Witkoff's visit, with European leaders also on the call.
The Ukrainian president has been warning that Russia would only make serious moves towards peace if it began to run out of money.The Ukrainian president has been warning that Russia would only make serious moves towards peace if it began to run out of money.
On Thursday, Zelensky indicated his support for a meeting between the three leaders.
"We in Ukraine have repeatedly said that finding real solutions can be truly effective at the level of leaders," he wrote on X. He added that it's "necessary to determine the timing and the range of issues to be addressed."
Images shared by Russian outlets showed Putin and Witkoff - who have met several times previously - smiling and shaking hands in a gilded hall at the KremlinImages shared by Russian outlets showed Putin and Witkoff - who have met several times previously - smiling and shaking hands in a gilded hall at the Kremlin
Expectations are muted for a settlement by Friday - when Trump's deadline expires - and Russia has continued its large-scale air attacks on Ukraine despite the US threat of sanctions.Expectations are muted for a settlement by Friday - when Trump's deadline expires - and Russia has continued its large-scale air attacks on Ukraine despite the US threat of sanctions.
As pressure builds, Trump on Wednesday signed an executive order imposing a 25% tariff on Indian imports over its continued purchase of Russian oil.As pressure builds, Trump on Wednesday signed an executive order imposing a 25% tariff on Indian imports over its continued purchase of Russian oil.
Before taking office in January, Trump said he would be able to end the war between Russia and Ukraine in a day. The conflict has raged on and his rhetoric towards Moscow has since hardened.Before taking office in January, Trump said he would be able to end the war between Russia and Ukraine in a day. The conflict has raged on and his rhetoric towards Moscow has since hardened.
Three rounds of talks between Ukraine and Russia in Istanbul have failed to bring the war closer to an end, three-and-a-half years after Moscow launched its full-invasion.Three rounds of talks between Ukraine and Russia in Istanbul have failed to bring the war closer to an end, three-and-a-half years after Moscow launched its full-invasion.
Moscow's military and political preconditions for peace remain unacceptable to Kyiv and to its Western partners. The Kremlin has also repeatedly turned down Kyiv's requests for a meeting between Zelensky and Putin.Moscow's military and political preconditions for peace remain unacceptable to Kyiv and to its Western partners. The Kremlin has also repeatedly turned down Kyiv's requests for a meeting between Zelensky and Putin.
Meanwhile, the US approved $200m (£150m) in additional military aid to Ukraine on Tuesday, including support for drone production.Meanwhile, the US approved $200m (£150m) in additional military aid to Ukraine on Tuesday, including support for drone production.