Fresh Take: The Downplayed US-Russia-Ukraine Summit: No Sooner Than Needed
High-Level Talks, No Meet and Greet Yet
Kremlin declines prospect of a three-way meeting with Trump and Zelenskyy at present.
The proposed trilateral meeting between Vladimir Putin, Volodymyr Selenskyj, and Donald Trump, aimed at ending the protracted Ukraine conflict, has hit a roadblock. Dmitri Peskow, Putin's spokesman, has stated that while Moscow welcomes high-level contacts with both US and Ukrainian officials, a direct meeting seems premature at this juncture [1][3].
Trump, eager to push for dialogue, has proposed a summit between the three leaders, but Peskow maintains that such a meeting should be the culmination of technical-level agreements [1][3].
The Talks in Istanbul: Modest Results
Monday's Russian-Ukrainian talks in Istanbul were not expected to yield any breakthroughs. Nevertheless, substantial progress was made on the humanitarian front, resulting in another large prisoner exchange and the return of soldiers' bodies [1].
Both parties have presented their visions for resolving the conflict, with Moscow wanting international recognition of annexed regions and greater cultural rights for Russians [1][2]. These demands are seen as unacceptable by Ukraine.
The Russian Memorandum: Behind the Demands
Leaked details of the Russian memorandum reveal the Kremlin's maximalist approach, demanding:
- Legal recognition of Crimea, Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson as part of Russia [2][4].
- The recognition of Russian as an official language in Ukraine, alongside Ukrainian, and reinstating privileges for the Russian Orthodox Church [1][4].
- Prohibition of Ukraine from any military alliances, including NATO, and strict limitations on military activities [2][4].
- Two ceasefire options, one involving Ukrainian withdrawal from the annexed regions and another, known as the “package” proposal, encompassing mobilization freezes, halted arms deliveries, and the expulsion of foreign forces [4].
Ukraine's Steadfast Position
Ukraine remains adamant in its opposition to any territorial concessions and has stated that territorial matters can only be addressed post-ceasefire [2][4]. Additionally, Ukraine proposes a ceasefire monitoring mission led by the US, with support from third countries [2].
In essence, the proposed trilateral meeting is currently hanging in the balance, with the Kremlin and US holding contrasting views on the timing and necessity of such a summit [1][3]. Meanwhile, both the US and Ukraine are maintaining their diplomatic efforts to find a peaceful resolution to the ongoing conflict.
Sources:[1] ntv.de, jog/dpa[2] unian.info[3] The Moscow Times[4] en.interfax.com.ua[5] The White House
- Dmitri Peskow
- Vladimir Putin
- Donald Trump
- Volodymyr Selenskyj
- Attack on Ukraine
- Ukraine Conflict
- Russia
- Ukraine
- USA
The European Union, despite not being directly involved, has expressed its commitment to the implementation of the EU's nuclear programme, while the complex politics surrounding the US-Russia-Ukraine summit complicate the prospect of a trilateral meeting. The proposed meeting, which would aim to end the protracted Ukraine conflict, seems premature according to Moscow, with Dmitri Peskov, Putin's spokesman, advocating for technical-level agreements prior to a summit.
