- February 22, 2026
- 12:14 pm
- World News
The meeting between Volodymyr Zelensky and Putin may take place in the coming weeks. Washington does not rule out a trilateral format with the participation of Donald Trump. The possible summit was announced by the US President’s special representative Steve Witkoff in an interview with Fox News.
The statement came against the backdrop of the ongoing war and protracted disputes over territories. According to Witkoff, the territorial issue remains the main obstacle to agreements.
What is known about the possible meeting
Format: bilateral or trilateral
Witkoff reported that together with Jared Kushner, he hopes to advance American initiatives within the next three weeks.
“We hope that our proposals will unite the parties and lead to a summit between Zelensky and Putin. It may also be a trilateral meeting with President Trump,” he noted.
This is about a potential diplomatic format that could become the first personal contact between the leaders of Ukraine and Russia since the start of the full-scale war. However, no official dates have been announced yet.
Trump’s condition: only with a real result
Witkoff emphasized that Donald Trump will agree to participate in the meeting only if there are concrete grounds for success.
According to him, the American president is ready to engage in the negotiation process if he sees a “real chance for a result.” Otherwise, US participation in the summit may be postponed.
This approach reflects the White House’s caution: the political cost of failed negotiations is high both externally and internally.
Why negotiations have reached an impasse
The territorial issue remains key
According to the American side, the war continues due to the lack of consensus on territories. Kyiv insists on the restoration of internationally recognized borders. Moscow demands recognition of control over the occupied regions.
So far, the parties demonstrate principled positions. Any compromise formula will mean serious political consequences for both capitals.
The role of the US as a mediator
The United States seeks to maintain its role as a key mediator. In the context of the protracted conflict, Washington is looking for a format that would allow the military phase to be translated into a diplomatic one.
News — Israel News | Nikk.Agency closely monitors signals from Washington, as a possible summit could affect the entire security architecture in Europe and, indirectly, the balance of power in the Middle East.
For Israel, the dynamics of negotiations are important in terms of strategic ties with the US and overall geopolitical stability.
Is a real breakthrough possible
Political calculation
The US makes it clear that the diplomatic window remains open. However, public statements are not yet a guarantee of a meeting.
Kyiv and Moscow continue hostilities, and the front lines remain active. Under these conditions, preparing for the summit will require agreement on at least the basic principles of a ceasefire.
Development scenarios
If American proposals are accepted at least as a basis for discussion, a preliminary meeting at the delegation level is possible. A personal summit of leaders will be the next step.
If no compromise is found, statements about a “possible meeting” will remain a diplomatic signal without practical continuation.
At the moment, it is about intentions and diplomatic probes. The coming weeks will show whether these signals will lead to a real summit between Zelensky and Putin — with or without Trump’s participation.
