In an unexpected twist reminiscent of a Hollywood blockbuster, Special Envoy Steve Witkoff’s diplomatic endeavor in Moscow appears to have produced outcomes that have left many scratching their heads. According to a report from The New York Times (6), President Donald Trump has announced intentions to rendezvous with Russian President Vladimir Putin ‘as early as next week.’
Even more astonishing is the revelation that this already notable meeting is slated to be succeeded by a trilateral discussion involving Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
❗️Trump planning to MEET Putin in person ‘as soon as NEXT WEEK’ — NYT
Plans to hold 3-way talks with Putin AND Zelensky ‘shortly afterward’ pic.twitter.com/wMXLrTghbz
— RT (@RT_com) August 6, 2025
“President Trump intends to meet in person with President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia as soon as next week, and he plans to follow up shortly afterward with a meeting between himself, Mr. Putin and President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine, according to two people familiar with the plan.”
BREAKING: President Trump reportedly to meet with Vladimir Putin as soon as NEXT WEEK.
The strategy is working.
Trump’s aiming to land a deal, after putting lots of pressure on Russia. pic.twitter.com/TeoaJpubxv
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) August 6, 2025
The plans reportedly have been communicated to European leaders, as noted by the NYT, although it seems their presence is not expected during the actual negotiations.
“The European leaders, who have tried to play a coordinating role on meetings to end the violence between Russia and Ukraine while supporting their European neighbor, appeared to accept what Mr. Trump said, one of the people familiar with the call said.
[…] Mr. Trump held a one-on-one meeting with Mr. Zelensky at the funeral of Pope Francis in Rome earlier this year. The president of France, Emmanuel Macron, tried joining the meeting — which took place in St. Peter’s Basilica — but was rebuffed by Mr. Trump, who generally prefers bilateral meetings.”
However, it remains unclear from the NYT report whether either Putin or Zelensky has formally consented to these meetings.
MORE on NYT claim that Trump’s planning to meet Putin in person:
— Meetings WON’T include any ‘European counterparts’
— ‘Not immediately clear’ if Putin or Zelensky have actually agreed to talks https://t.co/WKQq4WM1XO pic.twitter.com/LFXZPbPHnK
— RT (@RT_com) August 6, 2025
Possible meeting with President Trump and Putin as soon as next week pic.twitter.com/amCkV9Vmgv
— Karli Bonne’ (@KarluskaP) August 6, 2025
White House confirms Trump ‘open’ to meeting with Putin and Zelensky
CNN claims talks UNLIKELY to take place next week due to ‘organizational difficulties’ https://t.co/o7ORXK0027 pic.twitter.com/bBVKyLxiMH
— RT (@RT_com) August 6, 2025
Read more:
US Special Envoy Witkoff Has 3-Hour Meeting With Putin in Moscow (VIDEOS) – UPDATE: TRUMP – Witkoff’s meeting with Putin was ‘highly productive’, ‘great progress’ made
