Putin and Trump Remain Tight-Lipped on Meeting Schedule: Kremlin Cites Timeframe Uncertainty

Russia's top spokesperson says preparing for a Putin-Trump meeting will be "full of challenges" and take serious work, as both sides signal they're ready to talk but haven't set firm dates yet. The comments come as tensions remain high over Ukraine and NATO activities in Europe.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters today that neither Putin nor Trump has mentioned exact dates for their planned meeting. "We need to prepare and do serious preparation work," he said. "You've heard statements from the American side and from our side that this may take some time."

When asked about the upcoming work, Peskov was blunt: "The work that awaits us will be difficult."

The meeting is expected to happen in Hungary, where both leaders have good relationships with Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. Peskov said Putin and Trump's "warm" and "constructive" ties with Orbán helped make their recent phone conversation possible. But he added it's too early to talk about whether EU leaders might join the summit.

Russia hopes the meeting could open a path toward ending the Ukraine conflict. But Peskov made clear Moscow sees European NATO members as obstacles to peace. "Europeans, on the contrary, are encouraging Kiev's regime in every way to continue the war," he said. "Europeans are not supporters of peace and are not a force that contributes to peace through political and diplomatic contacts."

The comments highlight the deep divide between Russia and Europe over Ukraine. While Trump has suggested he could end the war quickly, European allies have been Ukraine's strongest backers with weapons and financial support.

Peskov also addressed recent NATO exercises in the North Sea, saying Russian military forces always monitor such activities closely. "Russia takes appropriate measures regarding the preparation of our capabilities," he noted.

The planned Putin-Trump meeting represents a major shift from the Biden era, when direct high-level contacts between Moscow and Washington were rare. But with the Ukraine war now in its third year and both sides facing military pressure, there's growing talk about potential negotiations.

For markets and global stability, any serious diplomatic engagement could signal the start of peace talks. But the Russian spokesman's emphasis on "difficult work" suggests both sides know any deal will require major compromises that neither may be ready to make.