Preparations for a Putin–Zelensky Meeting… and a Gathering of Allied Military Chiefs

20th August 2025

2 minutes read

Preparations for a Putin–Zelensky Meeting… and a Gathering of Allied Military Chiefs

U.S. President Donald Trump has announced preparations for a meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Ukrainian counterpart, Volodymyr Zelensky.

The announcement comes as U.S. Joint Chiefs Chairman General Dan Keen is set to meet with several European counterparts to discuss “the best options for a potential peace agreement in Ukraine.”

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Much has unfolded since the Trump–Putin summit in Alaska earlier this month, which was followed by a meeting between the U.S. President, Zelensky, and several European leaders.

On Tuesday, Trump confirmed that the Russian and Ukrainian presidents were arranging a meeting to explore ways to end the war in Ukraine. In a radio interview, he stated: “They are preparing for it,” adding that the “killing” in the conflict must stop.

Meanwhile, according to a U.S. defense official, the American Joint Chiefs Chairman is holding talks in Washington with a number of European military leaders regarding Ukraine. Speaking to AFP on condition of anonymity, the official said the military chiefs would examine “the best options for a possible peace deal in Ukraine.”

These consultations precede a videoconference scheduled for Wednesday among the chiefs of defense of NATO’s 32 member states, with the U.S. chairman also set to participate.

The head of NATO’s Military Committee announced that, during Wednesday’s meeting, the Supreme Allied Commander Europe, U.S. General Alexis Grinkevich, would provide a briefing “on the current security situation” alongside “ongoing diplomatic efforts to secure peace in Ukraine.”

On Monday, Trump had already launched a major initiative to end the war, which has dragged on in Ukraine for more than three years, by bringing together President Zelensky and European leaders at the White House—just three days after meeting President Putin in Alaska.

Following the White House summit, Trump stated that Putin had agreed to meet Zelensky and to accept some form of Western security guarantees for Ukraine in the face of Russia—assurances that Kyiv and European leaders received with great caution.

Trump further disclosed that he had already begun practical preparations for a direct meeting between Putin and Zelensky, with the location yet to be determined.

This announcement came after a roughly 40-minute phone call between Trump and Putin, during which the U.S. President left a White House meeting with European leaders accompanying Zelensky on his Washington visit.

Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov provided details of the conversation, telling reporters: “Half an hour ago, at the initiative of the U.S. President, a phone call took place between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin.”

He added: “Trump briefed Putin on the outcome of his talks with Zelensky and European leaders. Both sides expressed support for initiating direct negotiations between Russian and Ukrainian delegations.”

During the call, Putin also expressed his gratitude to Trump for the warm welcome and hospitality he received during their recent meeting in Alaska. According to a source familiar with the talks, the Russian President informed Trump that he was ready to meet Zelensky.