The diplomatic maneuvering around the war in Ukraine shifted again this week. President Donald Trump said it may be time for someone other than Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to negotiate on Kyiv's behalf, a notable comment given that Zelenskyy has represented Ukraine throughout nearly four years of full-scale war with Russia.
At the same time, Russian President Vladimir Putin has been pushing for direct talks with Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping, while declining to meet with Zelenskyy himself. The approach reflects Moscow's long-standing preference for settling the war's terms through conversations with major powers rather than through direct Ukraine-Russia negotiations, an approach Kyiv and its European allies have resisted since the war began in February 2022.
The diplomatic back-and-forth comes against a backdrop of continuing strikes on both sides. Ukrainian forces have continued long-range strikes on Russian territory, including reported attacks reaching St. Petersburg, while Russian strikes continue to hit Ukrainian cities and infrastructure. Three and a half years into the war, both sides have periodically floated frameworks for talks without reaching a durable breakthrough, and the question of who speaks for Ukraine at any future negotiating table remains central to how, or whether, a deal could be reached.
For now, no formal talks have been scheduled, and officials in Kyiv have not responded publicly in detail to Trump's comment about alternative negotiators. The coming days are likely to bring further statements from all sides as they position themselves ahead of any renewed push for negotiations.
Watch for whether the Trump administration follows up with a concrete proposal on negotiators or a summit format involving Russia, Ukraine, the United States, and China.
Has a summit been scheduled?
No formal talks have been announced; leaders are currently positioning themselves rather than confirming a meeting.