Uncertainty looms over Ukraine-Russia summit as NATO talks continue

New uncertainty is emerging over whether a face-to-face meeting between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin will actually take place.

(NBC)- New uncertainty is emerging over whether a face-to-face meeting between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin will actually take place.

The White House insists talks are still on track, with Vice President JD Vance saying direct engagement between leaders could help break diplomatic gridlock. But Russia is signaling hesitation, with Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stressing lower-level negotiations must come first. Lavrov also dismissed Western discussions about Ukraine’s post-war security guarantees as a “road to nowhere” without Russia’s involvement.

Those talks continued Wednesday at a NATO military meeting, as Ukraine gains confidence from President Trump’s new pledge of U.S. assistance to deter future Russian aggression — though he has ruled out deploying American troops. Some lawmakers, including Rep. Josh Gottheimer of New Jersey, are pressing Trump to impose tougher sanctions to squeeze Moscow’s economy.

Despite escalating bombardments, former U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Bill Taylor argues Russia has little incentive to stop, warning that only firm resistance will counter Putin’s strategy.

Zelenskyy maintains a summit with Putin is essential to ending the war, even as his team develops contingency plans should Russia stall negotiations and prolong its assault.