Trump Signals Imminent Putin-Zelenskyy Talks as Oleshky Truce Holds
The US president predicted a direct meeting between the Ukrainian and Russian leaders without setting a date, while the local ceasefire in Kherson region remained intact through its first day.
By Giulia Donovan ·
President Donald Trump told reporters on October 28 that a direct meeting between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin will occur very soon. The US president did not provide a specific date or location for the summit but stated that a lot of progress could be made during the session.
These comments followed a 90-minute phone call between Putin, Finnish President Alexander Stubb, and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store. The Nordic leaders also spoke with Zelenskyy. Stubb described the conversation with the Russian leader as frank and substantive, noting that as neighboring countries, Finland and Norway face direct consequences from the war's outcome.
Diplomatic efforts accelerated following an October 20 gathering in Oslo hosted by Gahr Store. The session included Zelenskyy, US special envoy Steve Witkoff, and other European officials. The meeting aimed to secure a role for European nations in the negotiations ending Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Separate discussions are underway regarding a potential three-way summit involving Trump, Putin, and Chinese President Xi Jinping. Putin proposed this trilateral meeting toward the end of the year. Trump said on October 19 that he was open to meeting in China during a November Asia-Pacific summit, though he indicated the primary focus might be nuclear disarmament rather than Ukraine. Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed that talks about this meeting occurred but remained unfinalized.
Ukrainian officials expressed concern that negotiations might proceed without Kyiv at the table. They insisted that their country must have a seat in any formal discussions regarding the conflict's resolution.
In southern Ukraine, the US-negotiated local ceasefire around Oleshky held steady for its first 30 hours. Both sides confirmed no breaches occurred after the truce began at 3 a.m. local time on October 27. First Lady Melania Trump said the start date moved two days earlier to protect civilians and allow humanitarian aid delivery.
The ceasefire zone expanded beyond Oleshky within the Kherson region to create safe passage for convoys. The arrangement remains in effect until November 1 to enable residents to evacuate the frontline town where conditions have deteriorated.
