Trump Instructs Whitkoff to Meet with Putin

President Trump has instructed his special envoy to the Middle East, Steve Whitkoff, to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin as part of discussions on a peaceful agreement for Ukraine. This was reported on the Truth Social social media platform. According to Trump, simultaneously, the U.S. Army Minister, Dan Driscoll, will meet with the Ukrainian side. He will receive reports on the progress of the negotiations from Vice President Jay D. Van, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Defense Minister Pit Hegset, and White House Chief of Staff Susie Wales. Trump noted that the original 28-point plan had been revised considering the opinions and proposals of both sides, leaving only ‘a few points of disagreement.’ He stated that he plans to have personal meetings with Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky but only after the conclusion of negotiations on the conflict’s cessation or as they approach the final stages. He urged for ‘hope for peace to be achieved as soon as possible’ and called this process a ‘very important issue.’ Earlier, ABC News reported, citing the White House, that a meeting between Trump and Zelensky was not scheduled at the moment. However, White House press secretary Carolyn Levitt noted that there are ‘a few delicate but surmountable details’ in the discussions on the peace agreement that require further contacts between Kiev, Moscow, and Washington.