Overview

• Trump said a direct Putin–Zelensky meeting looks unlikely and suggested the sides may “have to fight a little longer,” while saying a trilateral session with him present is more plausible.
• French President Emmanuel Macron warned that failure by Monday to agree to talks would show Putin “played” Trump, echoing doubts voiced alongside German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.
• The Kremlin accused European powers of hindering U.S. efforts and said operations will continue until Kyiv shows reciprocity, as Russia’s top general signaled continued offensives and large-scale strikes.
• Senior White House officials privately fault some European capitals for urging Kyiv to hold out for unrealistic terms and for shifting costs to Washington, as envoy Steve Witkoff faced criticism and met Andriy Yermak without a breakthrough.
• A Financial Times report said Trump privately floated Chinese peacekeepers for a neutral zone, a claim the White House denies and that Zelensky rejects given Beijing’s ties to Moscow.