President's Ambition to Advance on a Matter - White House Press Secretary Faced with Inquiries Regarding Peace Talks Advancement Progress
Putin Proposes Moscow for Talks, but Zelensky Balks
In a significant development, Russian President Vladimir Putin proposed Moscow as the location for bilateral talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, during a phone call with then U.S. President Donald Trump on August 18, 2025[1][5].
However, the current status of these talks remains uncertain and complicated. Trump proposed that Putin and Zelensky meet one-on-one "at a location to be determined," and after that, a trilateral meeting with Trump himself included could follow[3]. Putin specifically suggested Moscow as a venue, but Zelensky decisively rejected Moscow, insisting talks should be held in a neutral European location such as Switzerland, Austria, or Turkey[4][5].
Other suggested venues include Switzerland (supported by French President Emmanuel Macron) and Budapest (proposed by Hungary's foreign minister)[2][4]. The talks are delicate, with serious logistical, security, and diplomatic preparations needed, and major obstacles include mutual distrust and disagreements on core issues like territorial integrity and post-war security arrangements[2][4].
Moscow’s response has been noncommittal, stating only a willingness to “raise the level” of negotiations, without confirming the meeting[3][4]. Some experts doubt the likelihood and effectiveness of a meeting, given Putin’s former refusal to recognize Zelensky's legitimacy and the deep political divide[2][4].
No confirmed date has been set, although German Chancellor Friedrich Merz suggested the talks might happen within two weeks, pending preparatory work[4]. Interestingly, the proposed next stage of the peace talks was changed from a trilateral meeting to a bilateral meeting, with an anonymous senior official in the Trump administration claiming that Putin was responsible for this change in format[6].
In summary, Putin proposed Moscow for the talks during a call with Trump, but Zelensky has rejected Moscow as a venue. The talks between Trump, Zelensky, and Putin remain under negotiation with no confirmed date or location, amid significant political and diplomatic challenges[1][3][4][5].
[1] White House Press Briefing, Tuesday, August 18, 2025. [2] Reuters, August 19, 2025. [3] CNN, August 19, 2025. [4] BBC News, August 19, 2025. [5] The New York Times, August 19, 2025. [6] Axios, August 20, 2025.
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