President Donald Trump’s deadline for Russia to end its war in Ukraine or suffer severe economic punishment expires Friday, but it’s unclear how he plans to proceed amid new efforts toward a summit with Vladimir Putin and delicate trade negotiations with China.

T he White House on Thursday afternoon said President Donald Trump is "open" to meeting with Russia's Vladimir Putin, after a White House official earlier in the day said Putin also would have to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said Thursday he hopes to meet next week with U.S. President Donald Trump, possibly in the United Arab Emirates, although a White House official cast doubt on the summit occurring unless the Kremlin leader also agreed to a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.