Trump aims to host trilateral summit with Putin and Zelensky as early as Aug 22

US President Donald Trump is reportedly pressing to arrange a trilateral summit with Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelenskyy as early as Aug 22, according to US media reports.

Following the summit in Alaska on Aug 15, Trump stated to European leaders that he seeks this three-way summit. Ukrainian President Zelenskyy confirmed he will meet Trump in Washington on Aug 18.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz also suggested a trilateral meeting was expected to follow the Washington talks.

As of now, the Russian side has not publicly confirmed willingness to attend a trilateral summit.

The proposed meeting aims to develop a broader peace framework for Ukraine and follows stalemated bilateral talks between the US and Russia in Alaska.

Putin has made maximal territorial claims, including demands for Ukraine’s withdrawal from eastern regions, a position reportedly shared with Trump, who then relayed it to Zelenskyy and European leaders.

Critics warn that any hurried peace effort might coerce Ukraine into relinquishing territory under pressure, bypassing the ceasefire frameworks preferred by Europe.

European leaders have endorsed the idea of involving Ukraine in peace negotiations and keeping diplomatic options open.