Trump Open to Meeting Putin Next Week as New Sanctions Against Russia Loom Amidst Ongoing Peace Talks

The upcoming sanctions against Russia are set to take effect on Friday, according to White House officials, despite a productive meeting between U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff and Russian President Vladimir Putin earlier this week. During the meeting, both leaders expressed openness to potential talks, with Trump suggesting a meeting as early as next week.

In a series of social media posts, President Trump declared that “great progress was made” in the Wednesday meeting and that he had already briefed some European allies on his intentions to meet Putin. The proposed meeting could potentially involve a trilateral discussion with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

However, a White House official noted that the logistics and negotiations involved would make it challenging to arrange such a meeting within the suggested timeframe.

“The Russians have expressed their desire to meet with President Trump, and the president is open to meetings with both President Putin and President Zelensky,” stated White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt in an official statement. “President Trump aims for this ongoing conflict to end.”

On Wednesday, secondary sanctions against Russia were still expected to be implemented on Friday, a White House official confirmed earlier in the day.

The Putin-Witkoff meeting, which lasted approximately three hours according to Russian state media, occurred following Trump’s imposition of a deadline for Moscow to agree to a ceasefire or face severe secondary sanctions. These sanctions would impose a 100% tariff on countries buying Russian oil.

Given that oil and gas revenues account for approximately a quarter of Russia’s government budget, losing key customers could prove financially detrimental and potentially impact Moscow’s ability to fund its ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

The Kremlin described the meeting between Witkoff and Putin as “constructive and useful,” according to Russian state media outlet TASS. Further details on the discussion will be released after Witkoff reports back to Trump, as per the Kremlin.

Following the meeting, Zelensky stated that Russia appears to be more inclined towards a ceasefire, while emphasizing the importance of avoiding deception in the details of any potential agreement.

Trump and Zelensky discussed potential U.S. sanctions against Russia prior to Witkoff’s trip. The meeting came after a series of escalating attacks by Russia on Ukraine, which has left the nation reeling.

In the 24 hours leading up to Wednesday morning, at least six people were killed in strikes carried out by Moscow, including a deadly bombing of a recreation center in Zaporizhzhia. Additionally, a gas compressor station helping Ukraine receive US and Azerbaijani energy imports was attacked overnight.

Meanwhile, on Tuesday, the U.S. State Department approved a $200 million deal that allows partners to purchase military supplies on behalf of Ukraine, including technical support for heavy artillery. The U.S. has yet to comment on the matter.

In response to these developments, Ukraine welcomed pledges from NATO members worth over $1 billion through an initiative in which four European allies – the Netherlands, Denmark, Norway, and Sweden – will purchase US-made weapons for Kyiv.