Overview
- President Trump has said a peace settlement in Ukraine may be closer after talks between a U.S. envoy and President Putin, describing the discussions as constructive.
- Former U.S. General Ben Hodges rejects that view and says Russia made no concessions and the U.S. did not press Moscow in the meetings.
- The Kremlin has floated a trilateral meeting with President Trump and China’s Xi at the APEC summit in Shenzhen, a proposal Trump has been open to but has not confirmed.
- Ukrainian leaders demand a seat at any talks and warn that negotiating without Ukraine would encourage Moscow to press its military aims.
- Reports that U.S. interlocutors discussed commercial links, including diesel shipments and fertilizer offers from Russia, have raised concern that economic ties could be used as leverage in any settlement.