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Trump, Putin, and Zelenskyy Intensify High-Stakes Diplomacy Over Ceasefire Talks. Here’s What We Know
US President Donald Trump is intensifying pressure on Moscow to agree to a ceasefire in Ukraine, with direct talks already held between his envoy and Vladimir Putin, and consultations underway with President Zelenskyy and European allies. As a self-imposed deadline nears, the prospect of a Trump-Putin summit raises hopes—and uncertainty—about a possible negotiated end to the war.
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A flurry of diplomatic activity involving Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Russian leader Vladimir Putin, and US President Donald Trump has unfolded over the past several days, as efforts to bring about a ceasefire in Ukraine intensify ahead of Trump’s self-imposed August 8 deadline.
On August 6, President Zelenskyy confirmed he spoke with President Trump following a visit to Moscow by Trump’s personal envoy, Stephen Witkoff. The call took place during Zelenskyy’s return from a frontline visit in Ukraine’s Sumy region.
“This conversation followed the visit of President Trump’s representative Stephen Witkoff to Moscow,” Zelenskyy said in an official statement published on his Telegram channel.
Zelenskyy emphasized that Ukraine’s position, supported by Western partners, remains unchanged: “The war must end. And it must end honestly.”
“Ukraine will definitely defend its independence,” Zelenskyy affirmed. “We all need a lasting and reliable peace. Russia must end the war it started.”
That same day, the Kremlin confirmed the meeting between Putin and Witkoff had taken place in Moscow, just days ahead of Trump’s stated deadline. According to Reuters, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov described the meeting as “very useful, detailed, and candid,” while declining to provide details. He said the global economy and energy markets were discussed, but did not specify whether the war in Ukraine was directly addressed.
Witkoff, a real estate developer and long-time Trump confidant, traveled to Moscow as a personal emissary rather than a formal US official. Russian media framed the visit as a meaningful signal amid what appears to be a coordinated push from Trump to secure a negotiated end to the war. Trump has warned of “sweeping secondary sanctions and tariffs” on Russia’s top oil buyers—China, India, and Brazil—if Moscow fails to commit to peace by August 8.
“If Russia does not come to the table, we will move forward with penalties against its top energy buyers,” Trump said in an interview with Bloomberg.
According to The New York Times, Trump is preparing to meet Putin in person as soon as next week. The summit would aim to finalize ceasefire terms, provided Moscow is ready to engage.
“If Putin refuses, we’ll go to sanctions,” Trump reportedly told aides.
The Times noted that Trump has already communicated his plans to Zelenskyy and several European leaders. Although the White House has not yet confirmed the timing or location, internal preparations are reportedly underway.
In parallel, Zelenskyy stated that Kyiv and Berlin had aligned their positions, and further talks are being prepared.
“Ukraine is not afraid of meetings and expects the same brave approach from the Russian side. It is time we ended the war,” he wrote.
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On August 7, Bloomberg reported that Trump, during an informal call with allied leaders—also attended by Zelenskyy—hinted that Putin might be open to peace talks if the question of territorial concessions was included in the agenda.
Putin himself addressed the possibility of meeting Zelenskyy, but claimed that the necessary conditions for such a dialogue have not yet materialized.
“I’ve said many times that I have nothing against it in principle — it’s possible. But certain conditions must be created for that. Unfortunately, we are still far from creating those conditions,” he told journalists following a meeting in Moscow with UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
Speaking to journalists, Putin claimed that both the United States and Russia had expressed interest in holding the meeting, suggesting the United Arab Emirates as a potential host, according to Interfax on August 7.
“We have many friends who are ready to help us organize an event of this kind. One of those friends is the president (Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan) of the United Arab Emirates,” Putin said during a joint appearance with the Emirati leader, who is currently on an official visit to Moscow.
As the August 8 deadline approaches, all eyes remain on whether Moscow will respond to Trump’s ultimatum—or whether new rounds of diplomacy will reshape the course of the war.
