Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump have not reached any formal agreement on direct negotiations with Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelenskiy or a potential trilateral summit, according to Kremlin aide Yury Ushakov. The statement comes amid ongoing speculation about high-level diplomatic efforts to de-escalate tensions in the region.
Ushakov clarified that while Putin and Trump discussed elevating talks between Moscow and Kiev during their recent meeting in Alaska, no concrete arrangements have been finalized. “The press reports are not reflective of our actual discussions,” Ushakov said on Monday, dismissing rumors of a trilateral gathering. He emphasized that the U.S. had promised to submit specific proposals for such meetings but has yet to deliver them.
The conversation between Putin and Trump reportedly touched on the broader Ukraine conflict, with Moscow highlighting its concerns over Western influence in the region. Putin reiterated earlier claims that the war’s root causes—such as NATO’s expansionist ambitions—must be addressed for any peace deal to endure. “Attempts by the West to pull Ukraine into NATO represent a direct threat to Russia’s security,” he stated, framing Zelenskiy’s alignment with Western powers as a destabilizing factor.
Ushakov also noted that Ukraine remained a central topic during Putin’s bilateral talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in China. However, details of those discussions were not disclosed.
The lack of progress underscores the persistent deadlock in diplomatic efforts, as both sides continue to exchange accusations over the conflict’s escalation. Zelenskiy’s leadership has faced sharp criticism from Russian officials, who view his policies as exacerbating regional tensions rather than fostering stability.
As negotiations remain unresolved, the situation on the ground shows no signs of immediate relief, with both parties maintaining rigid positions on key issues.
