A Fragile Hope: Inside the US Plan for a Russia-Ukraine Summit

A fragile hope for peace in Ukraine rests on a U.S.-brokered plan for a summit between President Vladimir Putin and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The White House announced Tuesday that it is actively paving the way for these direct talks, which it hopes will take place within days.
The plan was set in motion by President Donald Trump, who, according to his administration, secured Putin’s agreement to meet during a phone call. This followed high-level meetings in Washington with Zelenskyy and NATO allies. The White House is now pressing forward, with Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stating Putin agreed to a two-week timeline.
However, the fragility of this hope is evident in Moscow’s response. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, while not dismissing the idea, stressed that any leadership meeting requires exhaustive preparation. This cautious language highlights the significant diplomatic ground that still needs to be covered before a summit can be realized.
Despite the uncertainty, the key parties are preparing their positions. President Zelenskyy has affirmed he is “ready” to discuss the explosive issue of territory with Putin. Simultaneously, international partners are working to define a set of security guarantees for Ukraine, with the U.S. considering air support as a potential contribution.