Donald Trump and the Russian president are at odds. Neither want to budge when it comes to the Russia-Ukraine war.
And the Pentagon is scrambling after Trump announces a high stakes showdown with Putin.
Putin and Trump Set to Meet as Ukraine Conflict Grinds On
A highly anticipated summit between Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump is on the horizon, with a Kremlin official announcing Thursday that the leaders have agreed to meet, potentially as early as next week. The location is nearly finalized but will be shared “a little later,” according to Yuri Ushakov, Putin’s foreign affairs adviser.
“At the suggestion of the American side, it has been agreed in principle to hold a bilateral meeting at the highest level in the coming days,” Ushakov said to reporters. He noted that while next week is the goal, the logistics of such a high-profile event mean the date is still fluid.
A Critical Juncture
This will be the first time Putin and Trump have met since Trump returned to the presidency this year. The summit could mark a critical juncture in Russia’s three-year invasion of Ukraine, though hopes for a breakthrough are tempered.
Russia and Ukraine remain deeply divided on peace terms, with Putin historically demanding negotiations on his own terms, offering no concessions. Western officials have accused him of stalling to allow Russian forces to seize more Ukrainian territory.
It’s unclear if Trump’s Friday deadline for Russia to halt hostilities or face severe economic sanctions still stands.
Ushakov emphasized the need for a “successful and productive” bilateral meeting, dismissing the idea of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky joining to discuss ending the war, despite the White House signaling Trump’s openness to such a format.
“We propose, first of all, to focus on preparing a bilateral meeting with Trump,” Ushakov stated.
Ukrainians Grow War-Weary
A recent Gallup poll released Thursday reveals a growing weariness among Ukrainians. Conducted in early July with over 1,000 respondents aged 15 and older, the survey shows a dramatic shift since 2022, when three-quarters of Ukrainians wanted to fight until victory.
Now, only one-quarter share that view, with seven in ten urging a swift negotiated settlement. The poll excluded areas under Russian control, about 10% of Ukraine’s population, due to access issues.
The Conflict’s Devastating Impact
The war’s devastation is undeniable. The United Nations reports over 12,000 Ukrainian civilians k*lled in Russia’s attacks on urban centers.
Along the 620-mile front line going through Ukraine’s northeast to southeast, Russia’s larger army continues its slow advance. This front line has seen the deaths of tens of thousands of soldiers from both Ukraine and Russia.
Zelensky’s recent offer to meet Putin was rebuffed, with Russia holding firm to its demands. The Gallup poll paints a grim picture of Ukrainian expectations: only one-quarter believe it’s “very” or “somewhat” likely the fighting will end within a year, while approximately seven in ten see it as “somewhat” or “very” unlikely.
As preparations for the Putin-Trump meeting move forward, the world watches to see if this dialogue can shift the trajectory of a conflict that has exacted a heavy toll, though a resolution remains far from certain.
Stay tuned to The Federalist Wire.
