Putin rallies allies before Trump summit sanctions deadline looming

A Putin‑Trump Summit Could Happen as Early as Next Week

Russian President Vladimir Putin met Friday with leaders from China and India, seeking their support ahead of a possible summit with US President Donald Trump. The calls came just hours before Washington’s deadline for Moscow to stop its Ukraine offensive or face crippling new economic sanctions that are expected to target Russia’s key trading partners.

Key Points of the Upcoming Meeting

• Meeting Schedule – Both Washington and Moscow have confirmed a Putin‑Trump meeting is set for next week.
• Trump’s Peace Efforts – Trump has spent his first months in office attempting to broker peace in Ukraine after boasting he could end the conflict in 24 hours, but his efforts so far have failed to yield a breakthrough.
• Oil and Gas Strategy – Trump wants countries such as China and India to cut their purchases of Moscow’s oil and gas, a key revenue source that Kyiv and the West say funds its army.
• New U.S. Tariffs – Trump earlier this week hiked tariffs on India over its purchases of Russian oil, which have surged since February 2022 when Moscow launched its campaign.

Putin’s Recent Calls with Global Leaders

• China’s Xi Jinping – The Kremlin said Friday that Putin had updated Xi on “the main results of his conversation” with US special envoy Steve Witkoff. Xi expressed support for a “long‑term” solution to the conflict.
• India’s Narendra Modi – Putin also spoke by phone to India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi after both countries condemned the new US tariffs over New Delhi’s oil purchases.

Trump’s Deadline and the Summit’s Impact

Trump’s deadline for Russia to strike a peace deal or face new sanctions – expected to target its trading partners – was set to pass later Friday. Asked by reporters in the Oval Office if that deadline still held despite the upcoming summit, Trump did not give a clear answer.

“It’s going to be up to (Putin),” Trump said. “We’ll see what he has to say.”

Expectations on the Streets of Moscow

On the streets of Moscow expectations were also low. “Hope for the best, prepare for the worst,” said Irina, a 57‑year‑old lawyer, to AFP. “To be honest, I have no hopes,” she added.

Current Situation in Ukraine

• Resist Ceasefire Calls – Putin has resisted multiple calls from the United States, Europe, and Kyiv for a ceasefire.
• Rule Out Talks with Zelensky – He has also ruled out holding talks with Volodymyr Zelensky at this stage, a meeting the Ukrainian president says is necessary to make headway on a deal.
• Human Toll – Tens of thousands of people have been killed since Russia launched its offensive, with millions forced to flee their homes in eastern and southern Ukraine.