US President Donald Trump is seeking to hold a personal meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin as soon as possible to discuss ending the conflict in Ukraine. This was stated by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on May 17, 2025, specifying that issues regarding the place and time of the negotiations are currently being actively worked out. According to Rubio, the meeting between Trump and Putin is seen as a key step in achieving a breakthrough in resolving the conflict, which has been going on for more than three years. This was reported by CNN, citing statements by US officials.

Earlier, on May 16, Trump announced a phone call with Putin scheduled for 10 a.m. on Monday, May 19. Kremlin Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov confirmed preparations for the call, noting that Moscow is open to dialogue, but specific details have not yet been agreed upon. Trump also intends to hold a conversation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on the same day. In a post on the Truth Social social network, the US President expressed hope for a productive outcome to the talks.

Trump’s move to meet with Putin follows a series of diplomatic moves by the president to end the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Since taking office in January 2025, Trump has repeatedly pledged to seek peace in Ukraine, criticizing the previous U.S. administration for escalating the conflict. In March 2025, he held two phone calls with Putin, during which the two sides agreed to a 30-day halt to attacks on energy infrastructure and to begin technical talks on a naval truce in the Black Sea. The talks, which began in Saudi Arabia, have not yet led to a full-scale ceasefire, but were a first step toward de-escalation.