Discussion on Ukraine security assurances without Russia's involvement considered a futile path, according to Russian statements.
In a significant development, US President Donald Trump has announced that his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, has agreed to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. The discussions, aimed at ending Russia's offensive in Ukraine, took place amidst ongoing tensions between the three nations.
However, Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov clarified that Putin only agreed to "think about raising the level" of talks on Ukraine. He further emphasized the need for meticulous preparation to avoid a deterioration of the conflict situation, should a summit between Putin and Zelensky take place.
Meanwhile, NATO military chiefs are discussing potential security guarantees for Ukraine, with ten European countries, including the United Kingdom and France, preparing for a possible summit between the two presidents. The focus is on providing security guarantees, with plans to station troops primarily from the UK and France on Ukrainian soil. The US will not deploy troops but may offer air support, coordinating with European allies.
The current US administration seeks to help eliminate the root causes of the conflict in Ukraine, a concern shared by Ukraine after more than three years of Russian offensive. However, Moscow has long stated it will not tolerate Kyiv joining NATO, a stance that has been a major concern in the discussions.
Lavrov accused European leaders of making "clumsy attempts" to change the US president's position on Ukraine during a recent meeting. He also stated that discussing security guarantees without Russia is a utopia. Despite the lack of constructive ideas from the Europeans, according to Lavrov, the meeting did not result in any significant progress.
The conflict between Russia and Ukraine has resulted in tens of thousands of deaths and forced millions to flee their homes. Post-war security is a significant concern for Ukraine, with the West aiming to help eliminate the root causes of the conflict. However, Moscow has been hostile to the idea of Western troops being deployed to war-torn Ukraine.
As the diplomatic efforts continue, both sides seem to have different agendas. Ukraine is pushing for security guarantees and a resolution to the conflict, while Russia insists on issues like Ukraine renouncing NATO membership and territorial talks, which Ukraine opposes. The upcoming meetings will be crucial in determining the future course of relations between the three nations.
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