- Trump says he will meet Putin soon to discuss ending the Ukraine war, possibly involving territorial swaps.
- His approach has shifted from restraint to tougher measures as Russian strikes intensify.
- Ukraine accuses Russia of stalling; Trump insists a personal meeting with Putin is key to progress.
President Trump told reporters Friday that he plans to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin “very shortly” to discuss a potential plan to end the war in Ukraine. He said the date and location could be announced as soon as Friday but stressed he didn’t want the news to overshadow a separate peace agreement he brokered between Azerbaijan and Armenia.
Trump suggested any deal to end the conflict would likely involve a territorial exchange. “It’s very complicated. But we’re going to get some [territory] back, and we’re going to get some switched,” he said, hinting at swaps “to the betterment of both” sides, though he kept details vague for now.
A History of Tense but Calculated Engagements
Putin’s last meeting with a U.S. president was in 2021 with Joe Biden in Geneva, while Trump last sat down with him in 2019 at the G20 in Osaka. Since returning to office, Trump has walked a fine line—initially holding back on pressuring Putin to keep peace talks viable, but shifting toward a tougher stance as Russia ramped up attacks. He’s recently floated steep tariffs on India, a major buyer of Russian oil, alongside the possibility of stronger sanctions against Moscow.
Trump’s envoy, Steve Witkoff, met with Putin in Moscow on Aug. 6. Afterward, Trump said progress had been made and that there’s “a good chance” a meeting could happen soon.
Ukraine’s Position and Ongoing Conflict
Kyiv officials have accused Moscow of stalling negotiations while continuing to advance in Eastern Ukraine. Ukraine has also escalated its own operations, carrying out drone strikes deep inside Russian territory. Earlier this year in May, Russian and Ukrainian representatives met in Turkey for their first direct peace talks in years—but Putin skipped the meeting. Trump at the time said he believed progress wouldn’t come “until he and I get together.”
For Trump, the urgency remains clear: “We’re going to have to get it solved because too many people are dying,” he told reporters.
