The Kremlin has downplayed the idea of an immediate summit between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky, even as former U.S. President Donald Trump called for direct talks between the two leaders to help end the war in Ukraine. Trump's push for such a meeting follows his recent discussions with Putin in Alaska and his meeting with seven European leaders, including Zelensky, at the White House.
Trump acknowledged that the war is complex and difficult to resolve, admitting that it's possible Putin may not be interested in peace talks. He said, "We’ll find out soon if President Putin is willing to make a deal," adding that the Russian leader would face a tough situation if he refused to negotiate, though Trump didn't go into specifics.
On Monday, Putin told Trump that he was open to talks with Ukraine, but the next day, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov downplayed that openness, saying any potential meeting would require careful, gradual preparation, starting with expert-level discussions. Dmitry Polyanskiy, Russia's deputy representative to the UN, also noted that while no one has ruled out direct talks, such a meeting shouldn’t just happen for the sake of having one.
Reports indicated that Putin suggested Zelensky might be willing to come to Moscow for talks, a proposal Ukraine was unlikely to accept. This may have been a strategic move by Russia to propose an option that Ukraine could never agree to. These discussions seem to have given Trump a better understanding of the complexities involved, as his earlier promise of a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine hasn’t materialized. Instead, Trump now suggests that both nations should focus on reaching a permanent peace deal, though he also highlighted the importance of security guarantees for Ukraine’s sovereignty in any peace agreement.
Trump further stated that the U.S. would support European efforts by providing air support if a ceasefire or peace deal is reached, but ruled out sending American troops. He didn’t clarify whether this air support would include intelligence or military aircraft. Meanwhile, European leaders, led by France and the UK, are working on plans for a reassurance force that could be deployed to Ukraine in the event of peace, with discussions ongoing to strengthen these security commitments.
After his talks with Putin and Zelensky, Trump now seems more open to the idea that direct talks could bring the conflict closer to resolution, though he recognized the significant animosity between the two leaders. The last time they met was in 2019, and since then, the war has led to thousands of casualties and widespread destruction.
Putin views Zelensky as illegitimate and blames him for Ukraine's growing ties with the West. For years, Putin has made false claims about Ukraine being run by a "neo-Nazi regime" and insists any ceasefire would require a change in leadership in Kyiv. Russia is also unlikely to agree to talks while its forces are still gaining ground on the front lines.
Despite this, European leaders and Zelensky have expressed their support for a meeting with Putin. Zelensky stated he is open to any form of talks with the Russian president, while European leaders are proposing possible locations for a summit. Their goal is likely to pressure Trump into adopting a more aggressive stance against Russia if Putin refuses to negotiate.Â
However, not everyone is optimistic about the prospects of peace. French President Emmanuel Macron called Putin "a predator" and expressed doubts about his willingness to make peace. Finnish President Alexander Stubb also voiced skepticism, saying Putin is "rarely to be trusted."
In the coming days, high-level talks are expected to continue, as Europe’s confidence in Trump’s support remains uncertain. The UK’s military chief, Admiral Tony Radakin, is traveling to Washington to discuss potential military deployments to Ukraine, and NATO military leaders are holding a virtual meeting to plan next steps.
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