Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Thursday renewed his call for a direct meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, expressing hope that a face-to-face dialogue could lead to an end to the war that has gripped Ukraine since 2022.
His appeal came just a day after US President Donald Trump described discussions between his special envoy, Steve Witkoff, and Putin in Moscow as “highly productive.”
Despite the encouraging tone from Trump regarding the diplomatic effort, senior US officials made it clear that sanctions on Russia’s trading partners were still on the table, underscoring Washington’s continuing pressure on Moscow over its military campaign in Ukraine.
In a social media statement, Zelensky revealed he had spoken by phone with Trump, who informed him that a meeting with Putin could happen “very soon.” The Ukrainian leader noted that European leaders were also on the call, though he did not disclose their names.
“We in Ukraine have repeatedly said that finding real solutions can be truly effective at the level of leaders,” Zelensky said, emphasizing the importance of high-level negotiations in resolving the conflict. He added that discussions must include setting a timeline for the talks and defining the specific issues to be tackled.
Earlier on Thursday, Zelensky outlined his diplomatic engagements for the day, noting that he planned to hold multiple conversations with key European figures, including German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, as well as top officials from France and Italy. He also mentioned upcoming communications involving national security advisors, signaling that behind-the-scenes efforts to address the war are intensifying.
In his remarks, Zelensky reaffirmed his position that any lasting peace must begin with concrete actions from Moscow. “The main thing is for Russia, which started this war, to take real steps to end its aggression,” he said, reiterating Kyiv’s demand for meaningful moves from the Kremlin toward de-escalation.
What you should know
Zelensky’s push for direct talks with Putin highlights a renewed diplomatic momentum following the Trump camp’s outreach to Moscow.
While the path to peace remains uncertain, Ukraine is emphasizing the need for leadership-level dialogue—placing the responsibility squarely on Russia to initiate tangible steps toward ending its invasion.
