Potential Putin-Trump Summit 'On the Agenda,' Says Senior Russian Diplomat

Diplomatic Channels Remain Open

Moscow, Russian Federation – The prospect of a new summit between Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump is actively being considered, according to senior Russian diplomat Sergei Ryabkov. The Deputy Foreign Minister stated that a meeting between the two leaders is 'on the agenda,' emphasizing that he 'wouldn't rule anything out' regarding its possibility. Ryabkov's comments were made in an interview for the state-owned International Affairs magazine, published on Saturday, November 22, 2025.

Ryabkov highlighted that contacts between Russia and the United States have not been suspended, and various channels for dialogue continue to function. He described the progress in establishing this ongoing dialogue as 'impressive,' indicating a sustained effort to maintain communication between the two nations.

Previous Meetings and Unresolved Issues

The last face-to-face encounter between President Trump and President Putin occurred in Alaska in August 2025. This summit, however, concluded without any agreement to resolve or pause the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. A subsequent plan for a meeting in Budapest was indefinitely suspended.

Despite the lack of a breakthrough in Alaska, Ryabkov's recent remarks suggest a renewed push for high-level engagement. Earlier in November 2025, Ryabkov had indicated that the conditions for a summit had 'not been met,' stressing the need for thorough preparation. His latest statement signals a potential shift or intensified diplomatic groundwork.

Broader Diplomatic Landscape

The discussion of a potential summit also takes place within the context of a proposed 28-point peace plan for Ukraine, put forward by the U.S. While President Putin has suggested this plan could serve as a basis for a settlement, Ukraine and several Western leaders have expressed reservations, stating it requires 'additional work.' President Trump himself has clarified that the plan is 'not my final offer.'

Furthermore, Ryabkov touched upon the possibility of a trilateral meeting involving Russia, the United States, and China to discuss nuclear stability. He clarified that Moscow is not actively pushing Beijing towards such a meeting and has not received any formal proposals from the U.S. regarding this initiative. President Trump has previously voiced interest in including China in nuclear arms reduction efforts alongside Russia and the U.S.

Outlook for Future Engagement

The Russian Deputy Foreign Minister emphasized that Moscow expects the U.S. administration to take the necessary steps to create conditions under which a meeting between the two presidents would be both timely and productive. The ongoing dialogue, despite past impasses, underscores the continued importance placed on direct communication between the leaders of Russia and the United States in addressing complex international issues.