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By Brendan Cole
Senior Reporter
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Russian President Vladimir Putin has said the United Arab Emirates (UAE) could be the location for a summit with President Donald Trump regarding the war in Ukraine.
Putin said that the country in the Middle East "would be one of the more suitable locations" for talks with Trump.
It comes after Trump said on Wednesday that special envoy Steve Witkoff had a "highly productive meeting" with Putin earlier this week over a Russia-Ukraine ceasefire.
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The White House told Newsweek in a statement on Thursday that "no location has been determined. A meeting could occur as early as next week."
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Why It Matters
A summit between the Russian and U.S. presidents comes as the Trump administration pushes for a ceasefire in the war started by Putin, which includes adding pressure via additional tariffs on India over oil imports and the threat of secondary sanctions on Russia.
What To Know
In a week in which Trump's envoy Witkoff met with Putin again to discuss the war, the U.S. president has threatened to hit purchasers of Russian oil with secondary sanctions unless the Russian leader agreed to a truce by Friday.
Trump imposed a further 25 percent levy on India, taking tariffs to 50 percent for its role as the world's second biggest purchaser of Russian oil, which funds Moscow's aggression.
The president had teased the prospect of a direct meeting with Putin and on Thursday, Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov said that a summit would take place in the coming days, without providing details of a date or location.
Ushakov said Witkoff had suggested a trilateral meeting between Putin, Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, but Moscow did not respond to the proposal.
Putin commented on the meeting later Thursday while he was with UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan at the Kremlin in Moscow, Interfax reported.
When asked by journalists about the meeting, Putin said that Russia had many friends who could organize the meeting and that the UAE could be "one of the most suitable places."
What People Are Saying
Russian President Vladimir Putin per Interfax: "We have many friends who are ready to help us organize such an event. One of those friends is the president of the UAE. I think we'll make a decision, but it would be one of the more suitable locations."
The White House told Newsweek in a statement: "No location has been determined. A meeting could occur as early as next week."
What Happens Next
The date and location of the summit that the Kremlin said would take place has yet to be confirmed. Meanwhile, there is anticipation over whether Trump's threat of secondary tariffs on Russia could force Putin to the negotiating table.
Update 8/7/25, 10:18 a.m. ET: This article has been updated with further information.
Update 8/7/25, 11:46 a.m. ET: This article has been updated with a White House statement.
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