**Russia and US Agree on Meeting Between Putin and Trump**
After months of diplomatic efforts, Russia’s President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump have finally agreed to meet in the coming days. This will be their first summit since 2021, when Joe Biden and Putin met in Geneva.
According to Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov, a venue has been selected for the meeting, although it has not yet been announced. The announcement comes after a day of high-level talks between Trump’s envoy, Steve Witkoff, and Putin, who are searching for a breakthrough to end the Ukraine war, now in its fourth year.
**Sanctions and Tariffs: A Complicated Situation**
The meeting between Putin and Trump is taking place against a backdrop of strained relations between Russia and the West. Trump has threatened new sanctions against Russia if there is no deal on ending the Ukraine war. He has also imposed higher tariffs against India for buying Russian oil, sparking concerns that further steps may be taken once his Friday deadline expires.
Trump’s intentions are unclear, with some analysts suggesting he may be looking to mend relations with Russia and others warning of a possible shift in alignment between Trump and Putin on issues like Ukraine.
**Ukraine’s President Seeks European Involvement**
Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has emphasized the importance of European involvement in negotiations to end the war. He spoke on Thursday with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and posted on X, calling for Europe to be a participant in relevant processes.
Zelenskiy stressed that any settlement reached would shape the security landscape of Europe for decades to come and must be achieved through a “dignified peace”.
**Russian Stocks Soar**
The news of the meeting between Putin and Trump sent Russian stocks sharply higher, with the main stock market index MOEX gaining as much as 5% on Thursday. The rouble also hit a two-week high against the U.S. dollar and China’s yuan.
Analysts at Alfa Bank said investors were hoping that the meeting would be a step towards normalizing the geopolitical situation.
**A Complex Diplomatic Dance**
The diplomatic dance between Putin, Trump, and other leaders is complex and multifaceted. While some see it as an opportunity for Trump to mend relations with Russia and try to end the war, others are more skeptical, fearing that any deal reached may come at the expense of Ukraine’s interests.
In a blog post, pro-Kremlin war blogger Yuri Podolyaka wrote that Putin had played a “masterful diplomatic game” in managing the situation. Whether this will ultimately lead to a breakthrough or further instability remains to be seen.
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