This combination of photographs created on August 7, 2025, shows Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky (L) in Kyiv on August 23, 2024, US President Donald Trump in London on June 3, 2019 and Russia's President Vladimir Putin in Moscow, on August 6, 2025. Photo: VCG

US President Donald Trump said Thursday that a meeting between Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelensky and Russian leader Vladimir Putin wasn’t a condition for him to meet with Putin in what would be their first in-person encounter of Trump’s second term, NBC News reported. 

Trump’s remarks came hours after a White House official said that Putin and Zelensky must meet in order for a summit with Trump to occur, according to the US media report. 

Russia and the US have agreed to hold a meeting between presidents “in the coming days,” Kremlin officials announced on Thursday, the Moscow Times reported. 

Putin, answering questions from the press later on Thursday, suggested that the summit with Trump may take place in the United Arab Emirates, according to the Russian media. 

When asked whether Putin would have to first meet Zelensky, Trump said “He doesn’t, no,” Politico reported. 

Trump’s comments contradicted an earlier statement from a White House press official, who said a meeting between Putin and Zelensky was a precondition to an audience with Trump, according to Politico. 

Putin has told reporters that both Moscow and Washington are keen on a face-to-face meeting between himself and Trump, TASS reported on Thursday. Putin also noted that he did not object to a meeting with Zelensky, but certain conditions must be met for it, TASS said. 

Zelensky confirmed on Thursday discussions about both a bilateral and trilateral summit among the leaders as part of efforts to end the Russia-Ukraine conflict, the Ukrainian media the Kyiv Independent reported. The statement comes after Moscow confirmed plans for a meeting between Trump and Putin in the coming days, the Kyiv Independent said.