US leader Donald Trump says he will meet the Russian president even if Vladimir Putin refuses to meet Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky.
Mr Trump, when asked whether Putin would need to meet Mr Zelensky to secure a meeting with the US, said: “No, he doesn't. No.”
Mr Putin has said he hopes to meet Donald Trump next week, possibly in the United Arab Emirates.
Earlier, a Kremlin aide confirmed the pair would discuss a ceasefire in the Ukraine war.
Despite Mr Trump suggesting there was “a good chance” of a summit involving Mr Zelensky, Mr Ushakov said that a trilateral meeting “was for some reason mentioned by Washington” but had not been discussed with the Kremlin.
The venue for the meeting has been decided and is due to be announced later, he added.
A face-to-face meeting would be the first between a sitting US and Russian president since Joe Biden met Mr Putin in Geneva in June 2021, eight months before Russia launched the biggest attack on a European nation since the Second World War.
Ukraine-Russia latest: Key Points
- Russian leader not obliged to meet Zelensky, Trump says
- Kremlin: Trump and Putin to hold meeting 'in coming days'
- Zelensky says Europe must participate in Ukraine peace process after Germany call
- Russia more inclined to ceasefire now, says Zelensky
- Trump hails ‘great progress’ in Putin talks – but no sign of end to Ukraine war
Putin talks to South African leader
23:30
,
Jane Dalton
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa held a phone call with Russia’s Vladimir Putin on the Ukraine crisis and issues of bilateral interest, Ramaphosa's office said.
"The discussion followed President Putin's request to brief President Ramaphosa on the peace process with Ukraine and to engage on issues of mutual bilateral interest," a statement read.
Putin says he hopes to meet Trump
21:55
,
Jane Dalton
Russian president Vladimir Putin has said he hopes to meet next week with Donald Trump, possibly in the United Arab Emirates - although a White House official cast doubt on the summit occurring unless the Kremlin leader also agreed to a meeting with Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky.
Speaking of possible direct talks with Mr Zelensky, Mr Putin said he had mentioned several times that he was not against it, adding: "It's a possibility, but certain conditions need to be created" for it to happen.
He made the announcement in the Kremlin after meeting with Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, president of the UAE.
Asked who initiated the possible talks with the American president, Mr Putin said that didn't matter and "both sides expressed an interest".
Putin will not have to meet Zelensky, Trump says
21:41
,
Jane Dalton
US president Donald Trump has said Russia's Vladimir Putin does not have to agree to meet Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelensky in order to have a meeting with him.
More Ukrainians now want a negotiated end to the war with Russia, new Gallup poll shows
21:15
,
Steffie Banatvala
Ukrainians are increasingly eager for a settlement that ends the fight against Russia's invasion, according to a new Gallup poll published today.
The survey conducted in early July found about seven in 10 Ukrainians say their country should seek to negotiate a settlement as soon as possible.
But only about one-quarter say it's "very" or "somewhat" likely that active fighting will end within the next 12 months, while about seven in 10 think it's "somewhat" or "very" unlikely that active fighting will be over in the next year.
The enthusiasm for a negotiated deal is a sharp reversal from 2022 - the year the war began - when Gallup found that about three-quarters of Ukrainians wanted to keep fighting until victory.
When did Putin and Trump last meet?
20:15
,
Steffie Banatvala
A face-to-face meeting between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin would be the first between a sitting US and Russian president since Joe Biden met Putin in Geneva in June 2021.
This came eight months before Russia launched the biggest attack on a European nation since the Second World War.
Trump himself last met Putin in Helsinki in 2018 where the two men held nearly two hours of closed-door talks in the capital city.
In March this year, Putin gifted Trump a portrait of the US president commissioned by him and sent via Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff when he was in Moscow for a meeting.
Putin and Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky have not met since December 2019 and make no secret of their contempt for each other.
However, Zelensky has issued open invitations to his Russian counterpart for a face-to-face meeting to negotiate an end to the war.
Zelensky marks one year of Kursk incursion: 'A truly Ukrainian historic operation'
19:15
,
Steffie Banatvala
Chris Stevenson explains why Ukraine launched an audacious cross-border attack on Putin’s forces in Russia:
US understands conditions under which Russia would end war in Ukraine, says Rubio
18:15
,
Steffie Banatvala
The US has a better understanding of the conditions under which Russia would be prepared to end its war in Ukraine after president Donald Trump's envoy Steve Witkoff met with Vladimir Putin, secretary of state Marco Rubio said.
The key elements of any ceasefire agreement would involve territory, he said.
"For the first time perhaps since this administration began, we have some concrete examples of the kinds of things that Russia would ask for in order to end the war," Rubio said in an interview with Fox Business Network's "Kudlow”.
ICYMI: Rubio says 'a lot must happen' before Trump and Putin meet
17:00
,
Steffie Banatvala
Russia is now more inclined to agree to a ceasefire in the Ukraine war, president Volodymyr Zelensky said yesterday.
In a social media post yesterday evening, Zelensky said he and Donald Trump spoke on the phone after US special envoy Steve Witkoff met with Vladimir Putin.
He said "European leaders also participated in the conversation," and "we discussed what was said in Moscow."
"It seems that Russia is now more inclined to agree to a ceasefire," Mr Zelensky said, adding that the pressure on Moscow "is working," without elaborating.
The Ukrainian war-time leader stressed it was important to make sure Russia does not "deceive us or the United States" when it comes to "the details" of a potential agreement.
Kyiv proposes that Ukraine and its allies soon "talk to determine our position, our common position, and our common view."
Opinion: Could Trump’s ceasefire summit with Putin actually achieve a breakthrough?
16:15
,
Steffie Banatvala
If the proposed bilateral talks between the US and Russia go beyond a ceasefire in Ukraine and encompass wider issues of security, that might be sufficient to convince Putin to show up – and even invite Zelensky along, too, says Mary Dejevsky:
If you're just joining us:
16:03
,
Steffie Banatvala
- The Kremlin confirmed Trump and Putin will hold a meeting 'in coming days'
- But no plans were confirmed to invite Zelensky, despite Trump making this a condition of a US-Russia meeting
- In response, Russia's stock market index rose 4.5 percent
- Zelensky spoke to European leaders. He discussed peace and Ukrainian membership to the EU with Commission chief von der Leyen and said Europe must participate in Ukraine peace process after a call with Germany
- Trump’s new import tariffs are now in force against scores of countries. A separate 25 percent tariff for India will be imposed in 21 days over the country's purchases of Russian oil - bringing the total to 50 percent
- A Russian security official met India’s national security adviser and stressed a 'strategic partnership'. Putin is also reportedly visiting India soon
And on the battlefield:
- Russia launched 112 Shahed-type attack drones and decoy drones overnight, Ukraine’s air force said. At least 6 people were killed and 35 injured in Russia attacks
- Ukraine claimed a strike on Russia's Afipsky oil refinery
- Russia says it shot down eight Storm Shadow missiles
What next?
Putin touted the United Arab Emirates (UAE) as a potential location for the summit.
With the venue yet to be announced, all eyes are on where the two presidents could meet.
Analysis: A Trump-Putin summit will be as useful to Ukraine and democracy as Agent Orange is for gardening
15:35
,
Steffie Banatvala
This toxic relationship is weird and dangerous for the West. World affairs editor Sam Kiley explains why:
Zelensky holds meeting on deep strikes, 'justified response to Russian attacks'
15:30
,
Steffie Banatvala
I held a meeting on deep strikes – our entirely justified responses to Russian attacks. The Armed Forces of Ukraine, the Security Service of Ukraine, the Minister of Defense, and the Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council reported on the results of our operations,… pic.twitter.com/77KkQMdxNV
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) August 7, 2025
Explained: Where Trump and Putin could meet
14:45
,
Steffie Banatvala
With the summit venue yet to be announced, all eyes are on where the two presidents could meet.
Here, The Independent looks at the countries that could set the stage for the momentous occasion:
EU chief, Zelensky discuss EU membership and steps for peace
14:21
,
Steffie Banatvala
I have spoken with @ZelenskyyUa on the developments of the last days.
— Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) August 7, 2025
We discussed the next steps on the way towards a negotiated peace agreement and Ukraine’s future membership in the European Union as well as its reconstruction.
Europe’s position is clear. We fully support…
Putin says he 'has nothing against Zelensky'
14:15
,
Steffie Banatvala
Trump made a condition of a meeting with Putin that the Russian leader also meets Zelensky.
Asked about the possibility, Putin said: “I have already said many times that I have nothing against it in general, it is possible.”
“But certain conditions must be created for this. But unfortunately, we are still far from creating such conditions,” Putin added, distancing himself from a meeting.
Zelensky previously offered to meet in May to discuss ending the war. Putin did not accept the request.
Putin reveals possible location for Trump talks
14:08
,
Steffie Banatvala
Putin has said interest in a US-Russia meeting was "mutual" and that the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is a potential location for the summit.
The Russian leader’s travel options are restricted an international arrest warrant over the alleged removal of children from Ukraine to Russia during the war.
Zelensky: No response from Russia on readiness for peace
14:04
,
Steffie Banatvala
I spoke with President of France @EmmanuelMacron. I shared with him Ukraine’s perspective on yesterday’s conversation with President Trump and our European colleagues. Emmanuel informed about his contacts with other leaders, those that had already taken place earlier in the day… pic.twitter.com/ijFstTmDVc
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) August 7, 2025
Editorial: If Trump is finally ‘done’ with Putin, a new dimension of uncertainty opens up
14:00
,
Steffie Banatvala
Editorial: Despite no immediate sign of a breakthrough with Moscow after special envoy Steve Witkoff’s crunch ceasefire talks, there is at least hope that the US president – increasingly resentful about the Kremlin rebuffing his overtures – could now come full circle and support Ukraine again
In pictures: ruins of residential buildings in the abandoned town of Marinka
13:30
,
Steffie Banatvala
Full statement on Putin-Trump meeting suggests Zelensky is not involved
13:00
,
Steffie Banatvala
We reported earlier that the Kremlin confirmed Trump and Putin will meet ‘in the coming days’.
Now we have the full statement from Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov, who appears to play down the possibility of a meeting with Zelensky.
The statement:
At the suggestion of the American side, an agreement in principle was made to hold a bilateral meeting at the highest level in the coming days, that is, a meeting between President Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump.
Now, together with our American colleagues, we are starting to work out the specific parameters of this meeting and the venue. By the way, I will note that the venue has also been agreed upon in principle and we will inform you about it a little later.
As for the option of a trilateral meeting, which for some reason was mentioned by Washington yesterday, this option was simply mentioned by the American representative during the meeting in the Kremlin. But this option was not specifically discussed.
The Russian side left this option completely, completely without comment. We propose, first of all, to focus on preparing a bilateral meeting with Trump and we believe that the main thing is for this meeting to be successful and productive.
Everyone also knows that yesterday, immediately after Witkoff's report, Trump called a number of leading European partners and discussed this matter with them.
I will note that we, using the appropriate channels, have already begun informing our closest partners and friends about the issues that were discussed during this meeting with Witkoff.
Next week was considered as the targeted date [for the meeting], but the parties are starting to directly prepare for this important meeting, and it is difficult to say how many days the preparation will take. But the option of holding the meeting during the next week was considered, and we are quite positive about this option.
What are the Storm Shadow missiles Russia claims to have shot down?
12:30
,
Steffie Banatvala
Earlier, we reported Russia claimed it had shot down eight British-made Storm Shadow missiles in service with the Ukrainian army over the past 24 hours.
- Storm Shadows are cruise missiles developed by France and the UK in the 90s. They are launched from aircraft.
- They have a range of more than 155 miles and exceed 600mph, according to manufacturer MBDA.
- The RAF and French air forced used them in the Gulf, Libya and Iraq.
- The UK announced it would provide Ukraine with Storm Shadow missiles in May 2023 - the first country to do so.
Zelensky says Europe must participate in Ukraine peace process after Germany call
12:22
,
Steffie Banatvala
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Europe must participate in the peace process between his country and Russia after a call with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Thursday.
“Ukraine is not afraid of meetings and expects the same brave approach from the Russian side,” he said.
Putin to visit India soon: reports
11:41
,
Steffie Banatvala
Russian President Putin is set to visit India soon, NDTV reported, citing India’s National Security Adviser (NSA) Ajit Doval.
Mr Doval is in Moscow but did not specify dates.
We are very excited and delighted to learn about the visit of President Putin to India. I think the dates are almost finalised now.
The NSA
ICYMI Watch: Trump envoy Witkoff meets Putin in Moscow as Russia-Ukraine peace deadline looms
11:30
,
Steffie Banatvala
Putin-Trump meeting likely to take place next week: reports
11:29
,
Steffie Banatvala
Putin and Trump are likely to meet next week, RIA reported, citing Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov.
More follows...
Zelensky will be bullied if Britain not invited to peace talks: UK former defence sec
11:23
,
Steffie Banatvala
Zelensky will be bullied by Trump and Putin if Britain is not invited to peace talks, UK former defence secretary has said.
“Because both Trump and Putin are known to be bullies, they bully people all the time, and I don’t think two bullies versus Zelensky, who is a brave man, but I don’t think would necessarily produce the right outcomes,” Sir Ben Wallace told Times Radio.
Ukraine says it struck Russia's Afipsky oil refinery
11:19
,
Steffie Banatvala
The Ukrainian military said on Thursday its drone units had hit the Afipsky oil refinery in Russia's Krasnodar region, sparking flames in gas processing equipment.
Russian emergency services reported a fire at the plant caused by falling drone debris.
Explained: How much Russian oil does India buy?
11:00
,
Steffie Banatvala
As Trump’s sweeping new global tariffs have come into force today, India is set to be hit by another 25 percent in late August, bringing the total to 50 percent.
The tariffs aim to target India’s big purchases of Russian oil, the cornerstone of Moscow’s war coffers and economy.
Here, Arpan Rai explains:
Russia says it shot down eight Storm Shadow missiles: Ifax
10:43
,
Steffie Banatvala
Russia's Defence Ministry said on Thursday it had shot down eight British-made Storm Shadow missiles in service with the Ukrainian army over the past 24 hours, Interfax news agency reported.
Russia also hit a railway hub used for transferring weapons and military equipment to Ukraine's Dnipropetrovsk region, the ministry added.
In pictures: Ukraine troops on the front line in Donetsk
10:30
,
Steffie Banatvala
Russian security official meets Indian national security adviser, stresses 'strategic partnership'
10:01
,
Steffie Banatvala
Russian security official Sergei Shoigu met Indian national security adviser Ajit Doval on Thursday and told him Moscow was committed to a “comprehensive strengthening of the joint strategic partnership” between the two countries.
The meeting, extracts of which were aired on the Russian state TV channel Zvezda, came a day after US President Donald Trump vowed to raise tariffs on India further because of its purchases of Russian oil.
Russian stock index jumps after Putin-Trump meeting announced
10:00
,
Steffie Banatvala
Russia's stock market index rose 4.5 percent after the Kremlin announced Putin and Trump would meet ‘in the coming days’.
There has been no summit of U.S. and Russian leaders since Putin and Joe Biden met in Geneva in June 2021 - before Russia went to war in Ukraine in February 2022.
Trump has moved to mend relations with Russia and try to end the war, although in his public comments he has veered between admiration and sharp condemnation of Putin.
6 killed, 35 injured in Russian attacks on Ukraine over past day: reports
09:45
,
Steffie Banatvala
At least six civilians died and 35 people were injured in Russian attacks across Ukraine over the past day, local media cited regional authorities as saying.
Russia launched 112 Shahed-type attack drones and decoy drones overnight, Ukraine’s air force said.
Trump’s new import tariffs now in force against scores of countries
09:15
,
Steffie Banatvala
Sweeping new global tariffs imposed by Donald Trump have come into force today.
This includes a 50 per cent tariff for goods from Brazil, 39 per cent from Switzerland, 35 per cent from Canada and 25 per cent from India.
A separate 25 per cent tariff on Indian goods on Wednesday will be imposed in 21 days over the country's purchases of Russian oil.
Kremlin: Trump and Putin to hold meeting 'in coming days'
09:10
,
Steffie Banatvala
Russia and the United States have agreed on a meeting between Putin and Trump in the coming days, the Russian news agency IFAX reports, citing Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov.
All parties have begun working on the details, the official reportedly said.
The venue for the meeting has also been agreed and is due to be announced later.
“At the suggestion of the American side, an agreement was agreed in principle to hold a bilateral summit in the coming days, that is, a meeting between President Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump,” Ushakov said.
Opinion: Witkoff will bring back humiliation from Putin meeting
08:45
,
Steffie Banatvala
Steve Witkoff – the president’s international diplomatic Mr Fixit – has failed to bring peace to the Middle East or deliver on Trump’s boast that he would end the war in Ukraine in 24 hours, writes world affairs editor Sam Kiley:
Zelensky to speak to Germany, France, Italy to discuss peace steps
08:18
,
Steffie Banatvala
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has said he planned contacts with Germany, France and Italy to discuss progress toward peace.
Zelensky said he planned to discuss a ceasefire, a leaders' summit and long-term security, following a the meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US special envoy Steve Witkoff on Wednesday.
In pictures: Ukraine forces fire towards Russian troops in Donetsk
08:15
,
Steffie Banatvala
Trump could meet Putin in person as soon as next week, says White House official
08:00
,
Arpan Rai
President Donald Trump could meet in person with Russian president Vladimir Putin as soon as next week in his bid to continue to negotiate for an end to the Russia-Ukraine war, a White House official has said.
The official added that a meeting has not been scheduled yet and no location has been determined.
The White House said Trump was also open to a meeting with both Putin and Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky.
Trump, appearing before reporters later at the White House, didn't answer questions about a potential location for a meeting but when asked about a summit with Putin and Zelensky, said "there's a very good prospect that they will" meet.
However, the president declined to predict how close he was to reaching a deal to end the fighting, saying, "I've been disappointed before with this one."
More Ukrainians now want a negotiated end to the war with Russia, new Gallup poll shows
07:50
,
Arpan Rai
Ukrainians are increasingly eager for a settlement that ends the fight against Russia's invasion, according to a new Gallup poll published today.
In the survey conducted in early July, about seven in 10 Ukrainians say their country should seek to negotiate a settlement as soon as possible.
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky last month renewed his offer to meet with Russia's Vladimir Putin, but his overture was rebuffed as Russia sticks to its demands, and the sides remain far apart.
Most Ukrainians do not expect a lasting peace anytime soon, the poll found. Only about one-quarter say it's "very" or "somewhat" likely that active fighting will end within the next 12 months, while about seven in 10 think it's "somewhat" or "very" unlikely that active fighting will be over in the next year.
The enthusiasm for a negotiated deal is a sharp reversal from 2022 — the year the war began — when Gallup found that about three-quarters of Ukrainians wanted to keep fighting until victory.
Now only about one-quarter hold that view, with support for continuing the war declining steadily across all regions and demographic groups.
The findings were based on samples of 1,000 or more respondents ages 15 and older living in Ukraine. Some territories under entrenched Russian control, representing about 10 per cent of the population, were excluded from surveys conducted after 2022 due to lack of access.
When did Putin and Trump last meet?
07:36
,
Arpan Rai
A face-to-face meeting between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin would be the first between a sitting US and Russian president since Joe Biden met Putin in Geneva in June 2021.
This came eight months before Russia launched the biggest attack on a European nation since the Second World War.
Trump himself last met Putin in Helsinki in 2018 where the two men held nearly two hours of closed-door talks in the capital city.
In March this year, Putin gifted Trump a portrait of the US president commissioned by him and sent via Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff when he was in Moscow for a meeting.
Putin and Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky have not met since December 2019 and make no secret of their contempt for each other.
However, Zelensky has issued open invitations to his Russian counterpart for a face-to-face meeting to negotiate an end to the war.
Russia's Afipsky oil refinery on fire after Ukraine drone attack
07:14
,
Arpan Rai
A fire has broken out at the Afipsky oil refinery in Russia's Krasnodar region due to falling drone debris, local emergency services said this morning.
The fire was extinguished soon after it started, the local emergency services added.
The Russian defence ministry said that air defence systems had shot down nine Ukrainian drones over the region overnight.