Experts are currently analyzing the likelihood of a personal meeting between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin following a recent visit by Vitkoff to Moscow. According to Putin's advisor Ushakov, a preliminary agreement for the meeting has been reached, though a trilateral meeting with Zelensky is not planned. The location remains undisclosed, while Western media speculate the event may happen soon.
Expert Vadym Denysenko notes that the meeting is likely only if a tangible result is achieved, such as halting Russian attacks on Ukrainian cities. Russia’s key condition remains territorial claims, though it is unclear how central these will be to future dialogue. Meanwhile, Putin faces growing pressure from economic sanctions and increased dependency on China, and Trump’s imposition of tariffs on India further complicates the situation.
Denysenko states that an air ceasefire could be the only realistic outcome from an upcoming meeting, with a decision expected within 7–10 days. However, he stresses that Putin is not planning to end the war or agree to lasting peace, but rather aims to buy more time for Russia “step by step.”
Thus, talks between Trump and Putin may at best lead to a partial reduction in airstrikes, but no fundamental changes in the war are expected.
