As the war in Ukraine shows little sign of ending, new diplomatic moves from Washington are drawing global attention. Following a series of meetings with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, and several European leaders, US President Donald Trump is now preparing for a direct meeting between Putin and Zelensky — a step many observers see as a potential breakthrough for peace.
On August 19, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed that President Trump held a phone call with President Putin after successful exchanges with Ukraine and European partners. As a result, Moscow has agreed to move forward with the next stage: a direct meeting between Putin and Zelensky.
Leavitt emphasized that, if necessary, a trilateral summit involving Trump, Putin, and Zelensky could also take place.
"Before President Trump’s victory last November, there were no signs this conflict could end. Today, for the first time, there is light at the end of the tunnel and a genuine opportunity for lasting peace," she stated.
According to the White House, Vice President J.D. Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Special Envoy Steven Witkoff will continue working with Moscow and Kyiv to facilitate the talks.
Amid speculation about America’s security role in Ukraine, Leavitt clarified that President Trump has ruled out sending US troops as part of any peace arrangement. Instead, he has instructed his national security team to coordinate closely with European allies while continuing discussions with both Russia and Ukraine on long-term security guarantees.
Analysts suggest that Washington’s new diplomatic push could mark a turning point in efforts to end what has been described as Europe’s bloodiest conflict since World War II. Still, they warn that deep-seated divisions between Moscow and Kyiv remain a major obstacle to any sustainable peace deal.
Even so, the willingness of Russia and Ukraine to engage in dialogue under US mediation is seen as a rare positive signal, raising cautious optimism for a potential de-escalation in the months ahead.
Tiếng Việt
English
