The summit between Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump may take place at the end of next week, according to the Russian news agency Tass, citing sources. On the day the US president's ultimatum to his Russian counterpart expires, with the threat of new sanctions against Russia, the tycoon is meanwhile pressuring Putin but offering him assistance by keeping Zelensky at a distance from the talks. According to Trump, it is not necessary for the Russian president to see his Ukrainian counterpart before meeting with him.
Trump-Putin talks without Zelensky – The rumor leaked to the American media last night. Politico cited an anonymous White House official as suggesting a meeting Putin-Zelensky as a necessary precondition for talks between the US and Russian presidents, which could be held as early as next week, perhaps in the United Arab Emirates. Trump, however, last night expressed his willingness to enter into immediate negotiations with the Moscow leader. When asked by journalists in the Oval Office whether Putin was obligated to meet Zelensky first, Trump simply replied: “No, he is not obligated, no. They would like to meet with me, and I will do everything I can to stop the killings,” he added.
Rome as a venue – According to reports by Fox News, citing two sources close to the negotiations, Rome could be among the locations being considered to host the meeting between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin next week. The broadcaster adds that other European countries have also been considered. The news was however denied by a source told the Russian agency Tass: “The meeting will not be in Europe .” Giorgia Meloni, according to leaks, was personally contacted by the president of the United States. Trump reportedly sounded out Meloni on the possibility of organizing the meeting with Vladimir Putin next Monday in Rome. The Italian government has reportedly expressed its availability. In the last few hours, however, the United Arab Emirates has reportedly been gaining ground as a"more third-party" venue for the summit: Moscow considers Italy too aligned with Kiev.
Zelensky's response – Meanwhile, the Ukrainian leader is demanding participation in the talks and a place for Europe as well. “Everyone knows for sure that in Russia, key decisions are made by one person. And that this person fears US sanctions. And that it is right for Ukraine to participate in the negotiations. Therefore, the format of the leaders' meetings is, in particular, a trilateral format. We discussed this in detail yesterday: several bilateral formats and one trilateral one,” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated this in his daily evening message published on social media. “I am grateful to President Trump for his openness in finding truly effective solutions,” Zelensky added. “Here in Ukraine, we are confident that this war can be ended with a lasting peace. But every step must be carefully considered to achieve the goal.”
Zelensky once again called for a role for Europe in the truce negotiations:"Everyone agrees that Russia's war against Ukraine is a war in Europe and against Europe. That's why Europe's voice must be heard in the process. We are planning several meetings on the continent."
Meanwhile, Trump is raising the specter of retaliation against Russia. Will secondary sanctions be triggered against Russia?"It will depend on Putin," Trump warned."We'll hear what he has to say. It depends on him. I'm very disappointed in him." After the August 6 meeting between Putin and Trump's envoy Steve Witkof, the Kremlin announced that it had agreed with the US to hold a summit between Putin and Trump"approximately next week," perhaps in the Emirates. But the tsar immediately ruled out Zelensky's participation.
