A meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump has been tentatively scheduled, as announced by Kremlin official Yuri Ushakov. The summit is being discussed for the week ahead, although no firm date has been set yet, and the venue will be disclosed later. Ushakov indicated that the focus would be on making the meeting productive, downplaying the prospect of including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in discussions regarding the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
This upcoming summit marks the first encounter between the two leaders since Trump’s return to office. However, there is uncertainty about its potential to bring an end to hostilities, as Russia and Ukraine remain significantly apart on key issues. Western officials have accused Putin of deliberately prolonging peace negotiations to allow for territorial gains, as he is known for adhering strictly to his demands without offering concessions.
Meanwhile, recent polling in Ukraine shows a notable shift in public sentiment regarding the war. A Gallup survey reveals that support for continuing the fight has dropped sharply since the war began in 2022. Currently, only about a quarter of Ukrainians favour a continued military response, with roughly 70% now advocating for a swift negotiated settlement. This stark change indicates a growing weariness among the populace regarding the prolonged conflict, which has claimed over 12,000 civilian lives according to United Nations reports.
The survey findings reflect a significant transformation in attitudes, with many Ukrainians expressing doubts about achieving lasting peace soon. Most do not foresee an end to active combat in the next year. This decline in support for ongoing military engagement runs counter to earlier sentiments where roughly 75% were inclined to fight until victory.
As the spectre of Trump’s deadline for Russia to cease aggression looms, Zelenskyy has attempted to engage in dialogue once more, only to encounter a staunch refusal from Moscow, which continues to press its demands firmly. In light of these dynamics, whether the summit will lead to any substantive progress or resolution in the conflict remains an open question.