Putin Seeks Trump Meet to End War

Washington  In a surprising development that could reshape the future of the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, the White House has claimed that Russian President Vladimir Putin has expressed interest in meeting former US President Donald Trump to discuss possibilities of ending the war. The claim follows the recent visit of US Special Envoy Robert Whitcoff to Moscow, signaling a potential diplomatic shift.

According to senior White House officials, Putin conveyed this message through backchannel communication during Whitcoff’s high-level talks with Russian counterparts in the Kremlin. The statement marks a rare public admission of Moscow’s willingness to directly engage with Trump — especially as his influence remains strong in the Republican Party and as the 2024 US election results continue to impact global diplomacy.

While the Biden administration has yet to publicly confirm or deny an active role in setting up such a meeting, insiders suggest that Trump is “open” to meeting both Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in a bid to mediate. Trump has repeatedly claimed during rallies and interviews that he could “end the war in 24 hours” if given the opportunity to negotiate. Although many critics have called that unrealistic, this latest overture from Russia may signal a desire to test that claim — or at least leverage Trump’s popularity to shift global narratives.

Kremlin officials have not officially commented on the White House’s statement, but Russian state media has already begun speculating on the potential location and timing of such a meeting. Meanwhile, sources close to Trump’s team confirmed that informal discussions are underway to explore the feasibility of hosting a trilateral summit — possibly in a neutral country such as Switzerland or the UAE.

Analysts are divided on the motivations behind Putin’s outreach. Some believe international sanctions and growing battlefield fatigue may be forcing Russia to explore exit strategies. Others argue this is a tactical move — aiming to weaken Western unity by sowing division and boosting Trump’s political standing ahead of the 2028 elections. Either way, it reflects a notable shift from Putin’s previous stance of outright defiance.

President Biden, who continues to support Ukraine both financially and militarily, has not issued a direct response. However, sources within the administration indicated concern that any direct Trump-Putin talks could undermine the official US foreign policy stance and legitimize Putin without holding him accountable for the invasion.

Ukrainian leadership remains cautious. President Zelenskyy, while diplomatically open to mediation, has consistently demanded a complete withdrawal of Russian troops as a precondition for peace talks. Whether a Trump-led mediation could satisfy those demands remains unclear.

This unexpected twist in diplomatic dynamics has injected new energy — and controversy — into the already fragile efforts to end the war. As global leaders watch closely, one thing is certain: if Trump and Putin do meet, the world will be watching not just for the handshake, but for the stakes.