The White House is reportedly considering inviting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to a possible high-stakes meeting between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin set to take place this Friday in Alaska.
The discussions come just one day after Washington and Moscow confirmed that the U.S. and Russian presidents will meet to discuss a potential end to the war in Ukraine.
According to NBC News, citing a senior U.S. official and three individuals familiar with the matter, the Trump administration is “seriously evaluating” the possibility of extending an invitation to Zelensky.
“It’s being discussed,” one insider revealed.
Sources indicate that the visit has not yet been finalized, and it remains unclear whether the Ukrainian leader would attend in person. However, a senior administration official stated that it is “absolutely” possible.
“Everyone is very hopeful this will happen,” the official added.
When pressed by reporters on whether the U.S. had formally invited Zelensky, a White House spokesperson said:
“The President remains open to a trilateral summit with both leaders. At present, the White House is focusing on the bilateral meeting requested by President Putin.”
On Friday, prior to the summit’s confirmation, President Trump had declared from the White House:
“We are getting very close to an agreement” to end the conflict.
He added that the deal would likely include “some territorial exchanges to the benefit of both sides”.
The Alaska summit is expected to be a decisive moment in the future of the war in Ukraine, with the eyes of the world set on this critical diplomatic encounter.
