The Kremlin confirmed on Thursday that a summit meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump has been agreed to "in principle," potentially marking a significant diplomatic engagement amid the ongoing war in Ukraine.

Speaking to reporters, Putin’s foreign policy adviser Yuri Ushakov stated that the bilateral summit was proposed by the American side and that both parties have agreed to move forward with preparations. While no final date has been confirmed, the meeting is expected to take place sometime next week.

“At the suggestion of the American side, it has been agreed in principle to hold a bilateral meeting at the highest level in the coming days,” Ushakov said. He noted that the venue has been decided but will be announced at a later date, as logistical arrangements are still being finalized.

The planned summit would be the first direct meeting between President Trump and President Putin since Trump returned to office earlier this year. However, Ushakov downplayed speculation that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy would join the summit to discuss a resolution to the three-year-old war between Russia and Ukraine.

“We propose, first of all, to focus on preparing a bilateral meeting with Trump, and we consider it most important that this meeting be successful and productive,” Ushakov added.

The announcement comes as diplomatic channels remain largely frozen between Russia and Ukraine, with both sides entrenched in their respective positions. While the White House has indicated that President Trump is open to discussions that include Ukraine, the Kremlin appears focused solely on a bilateral U.S.–Russia meeting at this stage.

The prospect of peace remains uncertain. Western officials have frequently accused Russia of using negotiations to stall for time and gain territory. President Putin has shown no signs of compromising, insisting that any settlement must be on Moscow’s terms.

It also remains unclear whether President Trump’s previously stated deadline—calling for the Kremlin to “stop the killing” in Ukraine by Friday—still stands.

The proposed summit could prove pivotal in determining whether Washington and Moscow can bridge their differences or if the war will grind on indefinitely with mounting casualties and destruction. (ILKHA)