Overview

• U.S. and Russian leaders have agreed in principle to meet for a face-to-face summit next week with specifics still under negotiation.
• Kremlin advisor Yuri Ushakov confirmed the talks will be strictly bilateral and ruled out including Ukrainian President Volodímir Zelenski.
• Venue discussions are ongoing, with potential sites ranging from the White House to a neutral country or the United Arab Emirates.
• The White House issued a 10-day ultimatum in late July and says it will launch secondary sanctions Friday if Russia does not declare a ceasefire.
• Envoy Steve Witkoff’s recent three-hour meeting with Putin in Moscow was described as “constructive,” setting the stage for the high-level talks.