- Ukrainian President Zelensky calls for a face-to-face meeting with Putin to end the war
- Trump hints at a possible summit with Putin “very soon” after envoy's talks in Moscow
- Zelensky urges setting a clear agenda and timeline for peace negotiations
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Thursday called for a direct meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in a bid to end the ongoing war, urging Moscow to take “concrete steps” toward ending its aggression.
Zelensky’s appeal followed a recent diplomatic engagement between US President Donald Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, and President Putin in Moscow—talks Trump described as “highly productive.” Despite the optimism, U.S. officials reaffirmed their intention to impose sanctions on Russia’s key trading partners.
Zelensky confirmed he had spoken with President Trump by phone, during which Trump suggested a potential meeting with Putin “very soon.” European leaders also reportedly joined the call.
“Ukraine has long maintained that effective solutions can only be found at the level of heads of state,” Zelensky posted on social media. “It’s time to agree on the format, timing, and issues to be addressed.”
The Ukrainian president noted that he would be holding several key discussions throughout the day, including with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, and officials from France and Italy. He also mentioned upcoming talks between national security advisors.
“What matters most is that Russia, as the aggressor, takes meaningful steps toward ending this war,” Zelensky emphasized.
Ukrainian Public Shifts Toward Peace Negotiations
More than three years into the conflict, public sentiment in Ukraine is shifting in favor of a negotiated peace. A new Gallup poll published Thursday reveals growing support for a diplomatic resolution.
Nearly 70% of Ukrainians surveyed said they favored negotiating an end to the war as soon as possible, while only about 25% still supported fighting until full victory. This marks a significant change from 2022, when the vast majority of Ukrainians rejected negotiations and pushed for a complete military win.
The latest poll reflects a decline in support for prolonged warfare across all regions and demographics. The survey included respondents aged 15 and older, though it excluded territories under Russian control—roughly 10% of the population—due to accessibility issues since 2022.
