Putin Agrees to Meet with Zelensky in New Phase of Dialogue on Ukraine
Posted on08/21/25 at 11:35
- Putin agrees to meeting with Zelensky
- White House confirms rapprochement
- Dialogue seeks possible solution
According to Univision, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed on Tuesday that Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed to hold a meeting with his Ukrainian counterpart, Volodymyr Zelensky.
The meeting, which does not yet have a set date, is part of the next phase of talks to explore a possible way out of the war in Ukraine.
The confirmation comes after weeks of speculation and intense diplomatic negotiations between Washington, Moscow, and Kyiv.
Leavitt indicated that the White House considers Putin’s decision a “cautious but significant” step toward the possibility of reaching an agreement.
Signs of openness in Ukraine
📌 Putin agrees to meet with Zelensky and continue dialogues to end the war, says the White House.
Reported by @EdwinPitti
✅ Follow this and more news 24 hours a day on @ViX. #ViX #ViXStreaming #ViXGratis https://t.co/5Eg5GR3Cfc
— Univision Política (@UniPolitica) August 19, 2025
Putin’s willingness to meet directly with Zelensky represents a shift in the dynamics of the conflict, which has lasted more than two years since the start of the Russian invasion in February 2022.
Until now, the Russian leader had rejected a bilateral meeting with the Ukrainian president, arguing that conditions for a productive dialogue did not exist.
On multiple occasions, the Kremlin had stated that Ukraine needed to accept the “facts on the ground” before sitting down to negotiate.
The acceptance, confirmed by the White House, opens the door to a possible face-to-face meeting that could redefine the course of the war.
Role of the United States in Putin–Zelensky Meeting
The administration of President Donald Trump has played a key role in mediating this rapprochement.
Washington has pressured both Moscow and Kyiv to open a direct negotiation channel that would allow progress toward a sustainable ceasefire.
Leavitt emphasized that Trump seeks to position himself as a moderator of a potential peace process, in coordination with European leaders.
“Putin’s decision to accept this meeting is largely a response to the diplomatic efforts of President Trump and the pressure of the international community,” the spokesperson said.
Expectations and international reactions to Putin and Zelensky meeting
Although the concrete terms of the meeting are not yet known, White House diplomats assured that the goal is to address central issues such as a cessation of hostilities and security guarantees for Ukraine.
Zelensky, for his part, has insisted that any negotiation must include respect for his country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The Ukrainian leader has reiterated that he will not accept territorial concessions as a condition for ending the conflict.
If confirmed, the meeting would be the first official encounter between Putin and Zelensky since the war began.