This market will resolve according to the location of the next meeting between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin between market creation and December 31, 2026, 11:59 PM ET. This market will resolve to "No meeting by December 31" if no qualifying meeting occurs during this market's timeframe. A meeting is defined as any encounter where Putin and Trump are all present and interact with each other in person. An exchange of words, handshake, direct conversation, or other clear personal interaction between the named individuals will qualify as a meeting. Merely standing in proximity, making eye contact, or being present in the same room or event without direct interaction will not qualify. For this market, Gulf states are defined as the six members of the Gulf Cooperation Council (Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates). The primary resolution source for this market will be a consensus of credible reporting.
The close contest between China at 49.5% and no meeting by December 31 at 45.5% reflects trader uncertainty over whether a 2026 US-Russia summit will occur amid ongoing Ukraine negotiations and bilateral tensions. Key factors include the US administration's foreign policy priorities, Russia's preference for neutral venues, and the diplomatic calendar of multilateral forums. Historical patterns show such meetings often require advance planning and third-country hosting to manage security and protocol. Any progress in talks, sanctions adjustments, or confirmed high-level visits could shift probabilities, while stalled diplomacy or escalation risks would favor the no-meeting outcome. The low odds on other locations underscore the limited set of politically viable sites.