US President Donald Trump has announced that a meeting involving Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will be arranged soon, expressing optimism about efforts to end the war between Russia and Ukraine.

Trump said Washington was making progress in its efforts to resolve the conflict, which began with Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. However, he did not provide a confirmed date, venue or details about the proposed format of the talks.

The announcement comes amid renewed diplomatic efforts by the Trump administration to bring Moscow and Kyiv back to negotiations. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and special envoy Steve Witkoff have been involved in discussions aimed at advancing a possible settlement.

Ukraine has expressed support for further negotiations involving Kyiv, Washington and Moscow, with President Zelenskyy previously calling for meaningful diplomacy, a ceasefire and security guarantees for his country. European involvement has also been raised as a possible element of the wider peace process.

Despite renewed diplomatic activity, significant obstacles remain. Russia and Ukraine continue to face difficult disagreements over occupied territories, Ukraine’s future security arrangements and the conditions required for a lasting peace agreement.

A direct meeting between Putin and Zelenskyy could represent a significant diplomatic development, but it remains unclear whether the proposed gathering will take place or produce concrete progress towards ending the war.

For now, Trump’s announcement signals renewed momentum in Washington’s peace efforts. The success of any future negotiations will depend on whether Russia and Ukraine can bridge their deep differences and agree on terms acceptable to both sides.

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