Is President Putin distinct?' Donald Trump asked about dealing with Putin. Posted: February 26, 2025 \. President Trump is asked about dealing wit

Russia has pushed back against Trump’s claim that Putin supports European peacekeepers in Ukraine, with Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov pointing to earlier statements by Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov,

The meeting is meant to pave the way for a meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Ukraine will not be on the agenda when U.S. and Russian officials meet in Istanbul on Thursday for talks over the operation of their respective diplomatic missions, a State Department spokesperson said on Wednesday.

"To be clear, there are no political or security issues on the agenda. Ukraine is not on the agenda," a U.S. State Department spokesperson said in an email to Reuters. U.S. and Russian officials will meet in Istanbul on Feb.