WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump announced on Monday that he anticipates determining within the first moments of his upcoming meeting with Russian leader Vladimir Putin whether a deal can be made to halt the ongoing war in Ukraine. Trump stated during a White House press conference that this meeting would serve as an initial gauge of the potential for negotiations.

“At the end of that meeting, probably the first two minutes, I’ll know exactly whether or not a deal can be made,” Trump expressed, emphasizing the unpredictability of the meeting with phrases such as, “it’ll be good, but it might be bad.” He suggested that he might either encourage Russia to continue fighting or indicate a willingness to facilitate a deal.

In the context of the war, Trump highlighted Putin's desire to solidify Russia's territorial gains made since the beginning of the conflict in February 2022. In contrast, Trump seeks a ceasefire which has yet to be achieved. The former president's eagerness for a resolution has sparked concerns within Ukraine and Europe regarding the possibility of an agreement that might disproportionately benefit Russia without considering Ukrainian interests.

Trump's remarks raised questions about the involvement of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in the upcoming discussions. During the press conference, Trump avoided committing to Zelenskyy’s participation, dismissing the Ukrainian leader's past meeting efforts, noting that “nothing happened” in terms of halting the war. He underscored the contrast between Zelenskyy and Putin, with the latter having maintained power in Russia for decades.

Despite the lack of Zelenskyy's inclusion in the talks, Trump indicated that the next meeting could involve all three leaders. Nevertheless, European allies have continuously advocated for Ukraine's involvement in negotiations to prevent any agreements that might favor Moscow.

After his meeting with Putin, Trump asserted that he would reach out to Zelenskyy and European leaders to brief them on the discussions, clarifying that he would not be the decision-maker regarding any agreements. His previous criticism of Zelenskyy included suggestions that the Ukrainian leader was akin to a dictator due to the absence of elections during the war period.

In recent months, Trump has shown mixed feelings about both leaders. While he has expressed frustration with Putin’s lack of seriousness toward peace negotiations, his comments suggested a possible return to a more critical stance toward Zelenskyy. During his press conference, Trump remarked on Putin’s invitation for him to engage, calling it a “very respectful” act that the Russian leader was coming to the U.S. for their meeting.

Trump reiterated his desire for a ceasefire and mentioned that any major agreements could involve land swaps, but stopped short of providing specifics. He implied that successful negotiations could lead to a normalization of trade relations between the U.S. and Russia. Conversely, Putin's demands are expected to focus on retaining the territories occupied by Russian forces and ensuring Ukraine does not join NATO, with a long-term goal of reasserting Moscow's influence over Ukraine.

Zelenskyy, on the other hand, has firmly maintained that Ukraine will not accept any formal annexation of its territory by Russia or abandon its NATO aspirations. As the conflict persists, with Ukrainian forces continually attempting to fend off Russian advancements, the situation remains dire along the 1,000-kilometer front.

In light of the anticipated summit, European leaders have taken proactive measures, with Germany organizing a virtual meeting involving Trump, Zelenskyy, the NATO chief, and additional European leaders to discuss strategies for pressuring Russia and negotiating peace. The German government emphasized that shifts in borders through force should not be tolerated, insisting that Ukraine should independently determine its political future. Meanwhile, Ukrainian drone strikes continue to affect Russian territories, further complicating the already tense situation.