The United States is striving to bring about a “meeting of minds” between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The White House announced Tuesday it is actively organizing a summit for the two leaders to negotiate an end to the war.
The diplomatic effort is being personally steered by President Donald Trump, who is said to have secured Putin’s agreement to the meeting in a phone call. The administration is now working urgently with both sides, with Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt asserting that Putin consented to a two-week timeframe.
Whether a true meeting of minds is achievable remains to be seen. Russia has responded to the U.S. announcement with caution, with its foreign minister stressing that a summit of this importance cannot be rushed and requires extensive preparation. This suggests the two sides may not yet be on the same page regarding the pace of diplomacy.
As the U.S. works to bridge this gap, the potential agenda is clear. Zelenskyy is preparing to discuss the future of occupied territories directly with Putin. In parallel, Ukraine is negotiating with its allies to establish robust security guarantees, a framework where U.S. air support is a possibility.