Diplomatic winds may finally be shifting in the long-running Russia-Ukraine conflict.
For the first time in months, there’s genuine talk of a face-to-face meeting between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin—something that could reshape the path of negotiations.
The surprising part? Zelensky says he’s willing to meet Putin “in any format,” and this time, without any preconditions.
Trump Steps Into the Picture
The momentum comes after U.S. President Donald Trump confirmed he is preparing the ground for direct talks.
Writing on Truth Social, Trump explained that Washington will coordinate efforts with Moscow and Kyiv through Vice President J.D. Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and special envoy Steve Witkoff.
His announcement followed an intense round of talks at the White House on August 18 with both Zelensky and European leaders.
Zelensky Drops Preconditions
In a major shift, Zelensky revealed that the meeting was requested by Moscow through American channels.
Unlike in the past, he no longer insists on a ceasefire before sitting down with Putin.
According to him, tying talks to a truce would only give Russia the opportunity to accuse Ukraine of blocking negotiations.
“The meeting is truly necessary to resolve sensitive issues,” he said, underscoring the urgency.
European Allies Urge Caution
Not everyone is as flexible. French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz reminded all sides that a ceasefire should come before a trilateral summit involving Trump.
Still, Kyiv seems determined to press forward with talks regardless of these conditions.
Sensitive Territorial Issues
Perhaps the most striking development is Zelensky’s openness to discussing territorial questions directly with Putin.
While Ukraine’s constitution firmly prohibits ceding land, the gesture signals a willingness to at least engage on the subject.
At the White House, a map prepared for discussions highlighted Crimea, Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia in pink—raising eyebrows about possible negotiation topics.
Despite the symbolism, reports suggest Ukraine has no intention of accepting territorial losses.
Where Could Talks Happen?
According to Reuters, Hungary is being considered as a neutral host.
Axios journalist Barak Ravid hinted that Trump is eager to see the talks take place before the end of August.
Germany’s Chancellor Merz even suggested that the meeting could realistically happen within the next two weeks.
Washington and Moscow Signal Agreement
After a phone call between Trump and Putin, the Kremlin stayed quiet on specifics but confirmed both leaders agreed dialogue must continue.
Both Russia and the U.S. also supported raising the level of official representation in ongoing negotiations—another sign that talks may soon shift gears.
Security Guarantees Under Discussion
Beyond territorial and ceasefire debates, the White House talks also touched on long-term security guarantees for Ukraine.
Zelensky confirmed that details on these guarantees are being worked out and should be finalized within the next 10 days.
This element could become a cornerstone of any broader agreement.
What’s Next?
The next few weeks will be critical. If Zelensky and Putin actually meet, it would mark the most direct step toward peace talks since the war began.
Yet, with disagreements over ceasefires, territory, and conditions for negotiations, the road ahead remains uncertain.
For now, all eyes are on whether Trump’s push can deliver the long-awaited breakthrough.
