Information
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed readiness to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin for a bilateral summit but cast doubt on Moscow’s willingness to engage. Zelenskyy said he had responded positively to the proposal of a meeting, urging that if Russia is unwilling, the United States should take a strong stance. U.S. President Donald Trump has pushed for the summit, though he acknowledged that Putin may not want to reach a deal. While Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov claimed Putin was prepared to meet, he attached conditions, including recognition of Russia’s narrative that questions Zelenskyy’s legitimacy as Ukraine’s leader.
Zelenskyy emphasised that any summit must follow clearer commitments from Ukraine’s allies on security guarantees, noting the need for a defined framework within the next week to ten days. He stressed the importance of knowing which countries are prepared to offer concrete support in moments of crisis. Additionally, he insisted the meeting should take place in a neutral European location, ruling out Moscow and rejecting any role for China due to Beijing’s perceived alignment with Russia. This underscores Ukraine’s insistence on both international backing and fair conditions before moving forward with high-level talks.
Source: AFP, AP, Reuters
So What
It is unlikely that Putin will agree to meet with Zelenskyy without imposing significant preconditions aimed at undermining Zelenskyy’s position and testing Western resolve. Additional pressure from President Trump could increase the likelihood of a summit; however, Moscow may continue to stall by making further promises without offering real concessions. If talks do not materialize, Trump might escalate measures against Russia, but there is also a strong possibility he will accept additional delays, allowing Putin to maintain his leverage without committing to any dialogue.
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