Trump Announces "Soon" Meeting Between Putin and Zelensky

US President Donald Trump announced today, Wednesday, that a meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will be arranged "very soon."

Trump told media outlets, "A meeting will be arranged very soon and I believe significant progress can be made" regarding diplomatic efforts to end the war between Russia and Ukraine.

Last week, Trump stated that Putin wants to reach an agreement to end the war with Ukraine, accusing the Ukrainian president of not wanting to do so.

Trump added in remarks to reporters: "Russia wants to make a deal... but, for some reason, Zelensky does not want to make a deal."

Speaking about a phone call he had with Putin on Friday, he affirmed that "President Putin strongly desires a settlement."

Trump's comments came days after he announced an agreement with Putin to supply large quantities of Russian diesel to US and global markets, an agreement that angered Kyiv and its European allies.

The Axios website quoted an official as saying that Trump struck the deal after Zelensky ignored six US demands to halt attacks on Russian oil refineries, attacks aimed at reducing Moscow's revenues which fund the war machine.

The US president is aware that rising fuel prices are a major cause of voter dissatisfaction ahead of the crucial midterm elections on November 3rd.

The Republican Party fears losing control of Congress in these elections, which will shape the next two years, the final two of Trump's term.

If Democrats control Congress, they may intensify investigations against the US president, and could also block his appointments if the opposition wins both houses of parliament.