Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin are expected to meet face-to-face within the next two weeks, according to German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.
Speaking at the White House on Monday following a summit of global leaders, Merz said the meeting had been agreed upon during a phone call between Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump. “The American president spoke with the Russian president on the phone and agreed that there would be a meeting between the Russian president and the Ukrainian president within the next two weeks,” he told reporters.
Merz added that a follow-up trilateral meeting involving Trump could also take place. However, he expressed scepticism about Putin’s commitment to attending, saying, “Persuasion is needed, I’m not sure Putin will have the courage to follow through.”
A senior adviser to Putin on foreign policy, Yuri Ushakov said that further negotiations would involve more senior-level envoys. However, he did not confirm whether Putin himself would participate in the upcoming summit.
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While much of the discussion during Monday’s summit focused on the format and next steps in negotiations, fundamental disagreements remain. Notably, Russia continues to push for an immediate agreement, while France and Germany insist a ceasefire must be established before final peace terms can be considered.
Territorial concessions by Ukraine, a key demand from Moscow, were notably absent from Monday’s public statements, highlighting the ongoing divide.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer described the White House talks as good and constructive, emphasizing a sense of unity among European leaders, President Zelensky, and President Trump.
Starmer highlighted two significant outcomes from the summit:
An agreement that allied nations will coordinate with the U.S. to develop long-term security guarantees for Ukraine.
Confirmation of an upcoming bilateral meeting between Zelensky and Putin, followed by a possible trilateral involving Trump.
“These are positive outcomes,” Starmer said. “There was a real sense of unity. We’ve made real progress today.”
President Zelensky later confirmed that details of the proposed security guarantees will be finalized within 10 days.
Earlier on Monday, President Trump reaffirmed U.S. military support for Ukraine as part of any eventual peace settlement.
Steve Witkoff, the U.S. presidential envoy involved in negotiations with the Kremlin, has previously indicated that Russia may accept NATO-style “Article 5-like” protections for Ukraine, to be provided by the U.S and its European allies.
