Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Thursday defended his country's right to participate in potential peace talks between the leaders of Russia and the U.S.

"It is right for Ukraine to be a participant in the negotiations," he said in his nightly video address, hours after Russian President Vladimir Putin said he hoped to meet next week with U.S. President Donald Trump, possibly in the United Arab Emirates.

A White House official later cast doubt on the summit occurring unless the Kremlin leader also agreed to a meeting with Zelenskyy.

Putin’s announcement came on the eve of a White House deadline for Moscow to show progress toward ending the 3-year-old war in Ukraine or suffer additional economic sanctions.

The U.S. was still expected to impose those sanctions Friday on Russia, according to a White House official who was not authorized to speak publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity.

The same official said a U.S.-Russian summit would not happen if Putin does not agree to meet with Zelenskyy.

The official did not specify whether the condition was for Zelenskyy to be present at the possible U.S.-Russia summit or at a subsequent meeting.

Speaking of possible direct talks with Zelenskyy, Putin said he has mentioned several times that he was not against it, adding: “It’s a possibility, but certain conditions need to be created” for it to happen.