A high-level meeting between U. S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin could improve the chances of finding common ground in the ongoing Ukraine conflict, according to political analyst and American affairs expert Malek Dudakov.

Speaking to Lenta.ru, Dudakov said the proposed summit raises the likelihood of the two powers reaching at least some form of agreement — possibly including a temporary ceasefire on the front lines. However, he cautioned that the two sides are approaching negotiations from fundamentally different positions.

Dudakov noted that for Trump’s administration, the upcoming talks may serve as another opportunity to secure even symbolic progress toward de-escalation. The gesture, in his view, reflects a broader attempt by Washington to regain diplomatic momentum.

From the Kremlin’s side, expectations appear more firmly set. Dudakov believes Moscow will use the meeting to reiterate its long-standing position — that no meaningful movement can occur unless the root causes of the conflict are addressed first. He emphasized that Russia’s stance has not shifted and will be communicated at the highest level during the discussions.