[Breaking] German Chancellor: "Putin Tells Trump He Is Ready to Meet Zelensky Within Two Weeks"

The British daily The Telegraph reported on August 19 (local time) that Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky have agreed to hold a one-on-one summit within the next two weeks.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, speaking to reporters after the summit that day, stated that President Putin agreed to a summit with President Zelensky during a phone call with U.S. President Donald Trump.

This is expected to be the first face-to-face meeting between President Putin and President Zelensky since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

However, Chancellor Merz added that it remains questionable whether President Putin will have the "courage" to meet with the Ukrainian president. Russia has so far refused to pursue talks until an official peace plan is established.