^{Photo: The Guardian}

Hopes of an imminent face-to-face meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy were dampened this weekend after Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov clarified that no such summit is currently planned. His remarks come just days after former U.S. President Donald Trump claimed he had begun arranging a meeting between the two leaders in an attempt to revive stalled peace negotiations.

Lavrov: “No Agenda Is Ready”

Speaking on NBC News’ Meet the Press, Lavrov emphasized that while President Putin “is ready to meet with Zelenskyy when the agenda is ready for a summit,” no such framework exists at the moment.

“This agenda is not ready at all,” Lavrov stated, dismissing any suggestion of immediate progress. His comments highlight the widening gap between public expectations of diplomacy and the ongoing reality of the war, which is now entering its third year with no signs of resolution.

Trump’s Claim of a Breakthrough

Earlier this month, Trump said on Truth Social that he had personally spoken with both leaders and initiated the process of organizing a direct meeting. According to his statement, he met Putin in Alaska and later hosted Zelenskyy at the White House alongside European allies.

“I began the arrangements for a meeting, at a location to be determined, between President Putin and President Zelenskyy,” Trump wrote on August 18.

The announcement raised hopes among some observers that U.S.-led diplomacy could open a new channel for dialogue. However, Lavrov’s comments appear to undercut those claims, signaling Moscow’s reluctance to commit without concrete groundwork.

Continued Fighting Underscores Challenges

In the days following Trump’s meetings, Russia continued its strikes on Ukraine. One recent missile attack targeted an electronics factory owned by a U.S.-based company, underscoring how far the situation remains from de-escalation. The strikes have intensified doubts about whether Trump — or any external mediator — can realistically bring both sides to the negotiating table.

The White House has not publicly responded to Lavrov’s remarks.

U.S. Leadership Voices Cautious Optimism

Despite the setback, U.S. Vice President JD Vance struck a more hopeful tone in a separate Meet the Press interview.

“We’re going to eventually be successful, or we’ll hit a brick wall,” Vance said, emphasizing that “energetic diplomacy” remains the cornerstone of U.S. efforts. He added that if immediate breakthroughs aren’t possible, Washington would continue “this process of negotiation, of applying leverage” until a viable solution emerges.

The Road Ahead

Diplomatic progress between Russia and Ukraine remains elusive, even as global leaders try to step up engagement. While Lavrov reiterated Putin’s willingness to meet, his firm rejection of a prepared agenda underscores how wide the gap remains between rhetoric and action.

For now, the battlefield continues to dictate the pace of negotiations — and peace remains a distant prospect despite ongoing international pressure.

‍