Trump says Putin and Zelenskyy are to meet for talks
US President Donald Trump has announced that the Russian and Ukrainian presidents are arranging a bilateral meeting to discuss an end to the war, according to German broadcaster DW.
"I had a very successful meeting with President Putin. I had a very successful meeting with President Zelenskyy. And I thought it would be better if they met without me, just to see what comes of it," Mr Trump told The Mark Levin Show.
White House confirms plans
White House press secretary Caroline Levitt confirmed that plans for a direct meeting are "in the works", and the US national security team will assist both countries in organising the talks. "Both leaders have expressed their willingness to sit down at the negotiating table," Ms Levitt said, in comments carried by CNN. Mr Trump had previously said on his Truth Social platform that a trilateral meeting involving himself, Mr Putin and Mr Zelenskyy would also be held after the bilateral one.
Moscow is more cautious
However, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov did not confirm the preparations for such a meeting. In an interview with the Rossiya-24 channel, Mr Lavrov said Moscow would not reject any format of dialogue, but insisted high-level contacts must be "prepared with the utmost care."
Possible locations being considered
The location of the summit has not been set. French President Emmanuel Macron has suggested the meeting take place in Geneva, and Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis confirmed his country's readiness to host the talks, while also guaranteeing immunity for Mr Putin against a warrant issued by the International Criminal Court.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has proposed Budapest, while Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni suggested Rome, including the Vatican, as a possible location.
According to Sky News, Mr Zelenskyy and Mr Trump prefer Rome, while Mr Putin is reportedly more inclined towards Geneva.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
