Trump Says He Will Meet Putin and Zelenskyy Only After Ukraine Peace Deal Is Final

WASHINGTON — Former President Donald Trump announced that he will not meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin or Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy until a peace agreement to end the Russia-Ukraine war is finalized or in its final stages, according to a statement he posted on Truth Social on Tuesday.

Trump described “tremendous progress” made over the past week in efforts to end the conflict, calling it the most significant movement toward peace since the war began. He noted that the original 28-point peace plan, drafted by the United States, has been refined with input from both sides, leaving only a few points of disagreement.

In outlining the next steps, Trump said he has directed his special envoy, Steve Witkoff, to meet with President Putin in Moscow, while Secretary of the Army Dan Driscoll will engage with Ukrainian officials. Trump added that he and key advisers, including Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, and White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, will be briefed on the progress.

Trump also acknowledged the “tremendous bad blood” between Zelenskyy and Putin as a factor delaying the peace deal despite momentum in other global conflicts. He expressed hope for a meeting with both leaders once the deal is finalized or near completion, emphasizing the importance of achieving peace as soon as possible.

According to officials, a revised peace framework, modified from the original 28 points, has gained preliminary acceptance from Kyiv and Washington, with Moscow currently reviewing the latest revisions. The negotiations are reportedly the closest to an agreement since the war began.

Trump’s announcement follows separate meetings he has had with both Putin and Zelenskyy in the past, as part of ongoing diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict. The former president’s team continues to coordinate talks amid broader international efforts to address global conflicts.