1:01President Donald Trump in Turnberry, Scotland, July 28, 2025 and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow, July 27, 2025.Getty Images/AP
A meeting between President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin could take place as early as next week, according to a White House official on Wednesday.
However, Trump appeared less certain when questioned by journalists during an Oval Office event later that day about the possibility of meeting with Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
"Well, I don't want to say it's — I've been disappointed before with this one," he replied.
At the same time, he mentioned that there is a "very good prospect" for a summit between Putin and Zelenskyy.
"Well, there's a – a very good prospect that they will," he stated. "And we haven't decided on the location, but we had some very productive discussions with President Putin today. And, there's a strong possibility that we could be concluding the – concluding the end of that road. That road has been long and continues to be lengthy. But, there's a good chance that a meeting will occur very soon."
President Donald Trump speaks in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, Aug. 6, 2025.Jonathan Ernst/Reuters
When asked if there was any significant development from Wednesday's discussions in Moscow between Putin and envoy Steve Witkoff, and whether Putin yielded in any way he had previously resisted, Trump replied, "I don't call it a breakthrough. I mean, we've been working on this for a long time."
Trump was inquired if his view that Putin was "tapping" him along had changed, but he remarked that it was too early to determine.
"I can't respond to that question yet. I'll tell you, in a matter of weeks, maybe less. But we've made substantial progress," Trump noted.
He refrained from commenting on whether they are nearing an agreement as he has felt "very disappointed" previously.
Upon Witkoff’s return from Moscow on Wednesday, he informed President Trump that Putin was interested in meeting with him, the White House official stated.
In reply, Trump suggested he would be amenable to that if Putin also engages with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the official added.
President Donald Trump in Turnberry, Scotland, July 28, 2025 and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow, July 27, 2025.Getty Images/AP
During an interview with Fox Business Network's Larry Kudlow, Secretary of State Marco Rubio was cautious regarding the outcomes of the day's events related to Russia and Ukraine, indicating it may take time to convene the leaders of the nations.
"I don't know if it'll be next week or not. It remains uncertain. I believe it will largely depend on how much progress we can achieve," the secretary remarked when asked about Trump's intentions for a trilateral summit.
Rubio stated that the administration would engage in further discussions with European allies and the Ukrainians in the coming days aimed at bringing all parties to a point where a face-to-face meeting with Putin and Zelenskyy "will be constructive and worthwhile."
Sourse: abcnews.go.com
