Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump are set to meet in the coming days, according to Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov, marking the first summit between the two leaders since 2021.
The announcement followed a visit by Trump’s envoy, Steve Witkoff, who met with Putin in an effort to find a resolution to the Ukraine conflict. Trump has warned of additional sanctions against Russia and countries purchasing its exports if no agreement is reached.
“At the request of the American side, a preliminary agreement has been reached to hold a high-level bilateral meeting between President Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump in the coming days,” Ushakov said, as quoted by Interfax.
He added that preparations were underway with U.S. officials and that while the summit location had been decided, it would be announced at a later time. Putin was also scheduled to meet the president of the United Arab Emirates on Thursday- a country previously floated as a possible venue.
The news prompted a sharp reaction from financial markets: Russia’s MOEX stock index surged over 5%, reaching a two-month high, while the rouble strengthened against both the U.S. dollar and the Chinese yuan.
This would be the first U.S.-Russia summit since Putin met President Joe Biden in Geneva in June 2021. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 deeply strained relations between the two countries.
Trump has sought to restore ties with Moscow and broker an end to the war, though his public statements on Putin have fluctuated between praise and criticism.
'Focus on bilateral success'
Ushakov also revealed that Witkoff had proposed a potential three-way meeting involving Trump, Putin, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. However, he said the Russian side chose not to comment on that idea.
“We are focusing on preparing for a bilateral meeting with Trump, and we believe its success and productivity are the top priorities,” he stated.
He described the Putin-Witkoff talks as professional and constructive, adding, “It was once again emphasised that Russian-American relations could follow a different, mutually beneficial path — one that significantly diverges from recent years.”
Following the talks, pro-Kremlin war blogger Yuri Podolyaka wrote that Putin had executed a "masterful diplomatic manoeuvre," suggesting the Russian leader had skillfully drawn Trump into renewed negotiations.
Meanwhile, tensions flared elsewhere as Trump announced an additional 25% tariff on Indian goods, effective from 28 August, citing New Delhi’s continued purchases of Russian oil. He also signalled the possibility of similar duties on Chinese goods, targeting another major importer of Russian energy.
On Thursday, Russian security council official Sergei Shoigu met with Indian National Security Adviser Ajit Doval, affirming Moscow’s commitment to strengthening its strategic partnership with India. Doval, speaking in Moscow, confirmed that Putin is expected to visit India at the end of August.
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