Former U.S. President Donald Trump is expected to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy next week. This meeting comes as Trump continues to express his desire to broker a peace agreement between Kyiv and Moscow, as stated by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Tuesday, September 16, 2025.
Trump has previously threatened Russia with sanctions if President Vladimir Putin refused to compromise. However, these threats have not yet been enforced, a situation that has reportedly frustrated Ukraine as Russian attacks continue to escalate.
Rubio revealed to reporters in Israel that Trump has engaged in “multiple calls with Putin” and “multiple meetings with Zelenskyy,” with another meeting likely taking place next week in New York during the U.N. General Assembly.
“He’s going to keep trying. If peace is possible, he wants to achieve it,” Rubio affirmed, emphasizing Trump’s commitment to achieving peace if it remains a possibility.
“At some point, the President may conclude it’s not possible. He’s not there yet, but he could get to that point,” Rubio added.
Rubio also reiterated a figure previously cited by Trump, noting that Russia reportedly lost 20,000 soldiers in July alone.
Just a month prior, Trump hosted Putin in Alaska, marking the first time a Western nation had welcomed the Russian leader since the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Days later, Trump also met with Zelenskyy and several European leaders at the White House.
The Unique Role of a Mediator
Rubio emphasized Trump’s distinctive position, highlighting his ability to engage in discussions with both Putin and Zelenskyy, as well as European leaders.
“If he were to disengage from this, or impose sanctions on Russia and declare ‘I’m done,’ then there would be no one left in the world capable of mediating an end to the conflict,” Rubio stated.
Upon taking office, Trump vowed to end the war swiftly. He consistently blamed his predecessor, Joe Biden, for Russia’s invasion and openly criticized the substantial financial aid provided by the United States to Ukraine.
In a February 28 meeting at the White House, which reportedly stunned U.S. allies, Trump and Vice President JD Vance publicly criticized Zelenskyy, accusing him of ingratitude. Following this, U.S. military and intelligence support for Ukraine was briefly suspended.
Since then, Zelenskyy has met Trump on two occasions, both times expressing his strong appreciation for the U.S. president and American support.