US President Donald Trump plans to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin as early as next week, and follow it up with a three-way meeting that includes Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy — without any European leaders present,

New sanctions against Russia will still kick in on Friday, the White House said, even as President Donald Trump praised a meeting between US special envoy Steve Witkoff and President Vladimir Putin as “highly productive” – and said he was open to meeting the Russian leader as early as next week.

President Donald Trump reportedly intends to meet face-to-face with Russian President Vladimir Putin as soon as next week. The alleged breakthrough in top-level diplomacy follows special envoy Steve Witkoff’s visit to Moscow this week,