Putin and Trump Could Meet Next Week as Russia-US Relations Shift

The Kremlin announced Wednesday that Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump might meet as early as next week, marking the first direct talks between the two leaders in years. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed that discussions are underway to organize the high-level meeting, though he noted that scheduling remains flexible and depends on diplomatic preparations. This development follows recent US-Russia negotiations in Saudi Arabia, which aimed at restoring bilateral ties and addressing the Ukraine conflict.

Peskov highlighted that the primary goal of the discussions is to revive and rebuild relations between Moscow and Washington, which were strained under former US President Joe Biden, particularly after the Ukraine war began in 2022. He acknowledged that while Trump maintained friendlier ties with Putin during his previous term, repairing relations will require sustained diplomatic engagement. “It is impossible to fix everything in a single day or even a week,” Peskov stated, emphasizing the long road ahead. However, he expressed optimism about the progress made so far.

The Russia-US talks in Saudi Arabia set the stage for these potential high-level discussions, with both sides working towards de-escalating tensions and preparing a framework for future cooperation. Peskov described the atmosphere as “businesslike” and noted that while it is too early to draw conclusions, the momentum is promising. If the Putin-Trump meeting materializes, it could signal a shift in US-Russia relations, potentially reshaping the geopolitical landscape.