Donald Trump has announced that plans are underway for a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, though no specific timeline has been disclosed. Speaking from his Mar-a-Lago resort, Trump stated, "He wants to meet and we are setting it up," emphasizing the urgency of resolving the ongoing war in Ukraine.

Russian news agency Tass reported that the Kremlin has yet to receive a formal request for the meeting. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov also confirmed that arrangements remain in the preliminary stages. Trump, who is set to take office on 20 January, has promised to prioritize negotiations to end the war, expressing scepticism about continued US military and financial support for Ukraine.

To spearhead his administration’s efforts, Trump has nominated Keith Kellogg as a special envoy to Ukraine and Russia. A retired US lieutenant-general and former national security adviser, Kellogg has previously proposed tying further US aid to Ukraine’s willingness to engage in peace talks, while maintaining aid if Moscow refuses to negotiate.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, after a phone conversation with Trump, expressed optimism that the war could end sooner under his presidency. However, details of their discussions remain unclear, with no confirmation of any specific demands regarding peace talks.

The proposed meeting signals a potential shift in US foreign policy, with Trump’s administration aiming to mediate a resolution to the conflict. Whether these plans lead to substantive progress remains uncertain, as both Ukraine and Russia navigate their respective interests in the protracted war.