US President Donald Trump has hinted at an impending meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin “very soon”, amidst escalating tensions over Ukraine. Trump’s comments came as US officials prepared for talks in Saudi Arabia, while Ukrainian and European leaders expressed concerns that Washington may be pushing for a peace plan that would compromise on key issues.
Trump said he believes Putin wants to end the war, citing Russia’s historical military prowess. However, he also acknowledged that any deal would need to be “serious” and involve action, rather than just verbal assurances. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio tempered expectations, stating that one phone call does not make peace in a conflict as complex as Ukraine.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has vowed to never accept an agreement without his country’s involvement, while European leaders drew parallels between the current situation and the failed appeasement policy leading up to World War II. The UK Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, expressed readiness to send British troops to Ukraine to maintain peace in case of a deal.
European foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas warned that any negotiations must involve the participation of all key parties, including Ukraine and its European allies. The situation is expected to come under further scrutiny at an emergency summit in Paris on Monday.
Source: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/2/17/trump-says-he-could-meet-putin-soon-as-ukraine-europe-reel-from-outreach