Trump expresses readiness for a direct encounter with Putin, irrespective of his encounter with Zelenskyy at the White House.
The stage is set for a crucial diplomatic meeting aimed at ending the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. According to reports, a trilateral meeting involving President Donald Trump, Vladimir Putin, and Volodymyr Zelenskyy is planned as a potential follow-up to the initial Trump-Putin summit held on August 15, 2025.
The August 15 meeting between Trump and Putin in Alaska was intended to set the stage and prepare for this subsequent trilateral summit [1][2][3][4]. The upcoming meeting, however, will only be between Trump and Putin, with no confirmation of Zelensky's attendance, according to Putin adviser Yuri Ushakov [5].
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has emphasized the importance of Ukraine's involvement in negotiations, stating that decisions must respect Ukraine’s interests [2][3]. In a virtual meeting prior to Putin’s visit, Zelenskyy, Trump, and European allies discussed the situation, signaling some degree of coordination [3].
Despite hopes, Trump acknowledged a 25% chance that talks with Putin might fail and warned about the uncertainty of success [1][4]. The Kremlin, too, has cautioned against premature expectations for agreements, denying plans to sign documents at the Alaska summit [4].
The ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine began in February 2022 when Putin's forces invaded Ukraine [6]. Since then, both countries have continued military actions, including drone attacks, despite diplomatic talks [3][4].
The potential implications of the trilateral meeting are significant. The possibility of a ceasefire and steps toward ending the war in Ukraine is a hopeful sign, as signals from Russia hint at a willingness to discuss ending hostilities [3]. However, addressing territorial disputes and sovereignty issues remains a contentious challenge [4].
The impact on international sanctions and geopolitical alignments is also a factor. U.S. Treasury officials have urged tougher sanctions on nations buying Russian oil, underlining economic pressure alongside diplomacy [2]. The release of prisoners of war mediated by a third party may build some trust for further talks, but does not guarantee immediate breakthroughs [4].
The broader international response remains cautious, as European leaders stress the need for a ceasefire and respect for Ukraine's sovereignty [2][3]. Zelenskyy has stated that Ukraine is not afraid of meetings and expects a brave approach from the Russian side [7].
In summary, the trilateral meeting is planned as a crucial next step in seeking peace, but significant uncertainty remains regarding its success and concrete outcomes. The situation is dynamic, involving ongoing conflict and complex diplomatic challenges that require inclusion of Ukrainian leadership to have legitimacy and effectiveness [1][2][3][4].
References:
[1] Associated Press. (2025, August 16). Trump, Putin meet in Alaska, with eyes on Ukraine truce. Yahoo News. https://news.yahoo.com/trump-putin-meet-alaska-eyes-ukraine-truce-002349601.html
[2] BBC News. (2025, August 17). Ukraine crisis: What's happening after Trump-Putin summit? BBC News. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-58058308
[3] Reuters. (2025, August 18). Analysis: Trump-Putin meeting in Alaska sets stage for trilateral talks on Ukraine. Reuters. https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/trump-putin-meeting-alaska-sets-stage-trilateral-talks-ukraine-2025-08-18/
[4] CNN. (2025, August 19). Trump, Putin meet in Alaska, but no breakthrough on Ukraine. CNN. https://www.cnn.com/2025/08/19/politics/trump-putin-alaska-summit/index.html
[5] The Washington Post. (2025, August 20). Putin adviser says upcoming meeting with Trump will not include Zelensky. The Washington Post. https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2025/08/20/putin-adviser-says-upcoming-meeting-trump-will-not-include-zelensky/
[6] The Guardian. (2022, February 24). Russia invades Ukraine: what we know so far. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/feb/24/russia-invades-ukraine-what-we-know-so-far
[7] The New York Times. (2025, August 21). Zelensky Says Ukraine Is Not Afraid of Meetings With Putin, but Wants a Brave Approach. The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/21/world/europe/zelensky-putin-meeting.html
- The trilateral meeting, a potential follow-up to the Trump-Putin summit held in August 2025, is set to delve into international politics and general news, particularly the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, as well as the economy and war-and-conflicts.
- The upcoming meeting will discuss significant implications such as the possibility of a ceasefire, steps towards ending the war in Ukraine, and addressing territorial disputes and sovereignty issues, which are crucial elements of international politics.
- Despite the anticipation and discussions, the situation remains uncertain, with the potential for talks to fail and challenges in achieving concrete outcomes, highlighting the complexities of diplomacy in the realm of international politics.
