Kremlin Uncertain on Putin-Trump Meeting Amid Global Turmoil

The Kremlin said Friday it could not predict whether Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump will meet in person this year, citing global instability and escalating conflicts such as the Israel-Iran crisis. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov emphasized the unpredictability of international events, saying, “It is impossible to make forecasts even for next week.”

While the Kremlin has stated that Putin remains open to an in-person meeting with Trump, the process requires detailed expert-level groundwork. The two leaders have already spoken by phone five times this year, most recently last Saturday, but no concrete plans for a summit have been announced.

Peskov also addressed the stalled bilateral talks between Moscow and Washington aimed at resolving long-standing issues, known as "irritants," in U.S.-Russia relations. He confirmed that the U.S. had recently canceled the next round of these discussions, adding complexity to ongoing diplomatic efforts.

Despite tensions, Moscow says it remains in constant dialogue with Washington regarding a potential peace settlement in Ukraine. However, Russia believes that repairing bilateral relations and easing diplomatic friction should be handled separately from the Ukraine peace talks. U.S. diplomats reportedly prefer linking the two efforts, but Russia insists that addressing bilateral irritants could positively influence the broader peace process.

“We hope that in the foreseeable future we will reach agreement on new dates for talks,” Peskov stated, underscoring Russia’s desire to continue diplomatic engagement despite geopolitical challenges.

This latest development reflects the fragile state of U.S.-Russia relations as both nations navigate a shifting global landscape, with tensions in Eastern Europe and the Middle East adding further uncertainty to the prospect of a high-level summit.