Maintaining EU's diplomatic ties with Central and Eastern European countries is an emphasis the Commission has undertaken, implementing several strategies for continued engagement.
Headline: Trump and Leaders of Ukraine and Russia Plan Meeting in Budapest; US Rules Out Troop Deployment for Peacekeeping Force in Ukraine
The presidents of Ukraine and Russia, along with Donald Trump, are planning a meeting in the Hungarian capital, Budapest. However, the White House has ruled out the deployment of US troops in a possible peacekeeping force for Ukraine.
According to reports, around ten European countries, including France, the United Kingdom, and Poland, have expressed readiness to send troops to Ukraine as part of a "coalition of the willing" to provide security guarantees and stabilize the situation in case of a possible peace agreement. These troops would be deployed mostly in non-combat zones, with the US offering limited support but no direct troop deployment.
The US President is discussing Russia's hostile stance towards peacekeeping troops from NATO countries with both Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Trump has stated that he is open to the idea of providing air support for Ukraine, but the White House spokeswoman, Karoline Leavitt, clarified that this is an "option and possibility."
The Secret Service is preparing for the potential meeting of Trump in Budapest. The White House has not confirmed or denied Budapest as a potential venue for a Zelenskyy-Putin meeting, nor has it commented on a proposed meeting between Trump and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban.
Foreign Minister Lavrov stated that Russia is open to any format of talks, but cautioned that contacts involving heads of state must be prepared carefully. He also warned that any peacekeeping force must be impartial and not be used to exert pressure on Russia.
According to the former commander of U.S. forces in Europe, Ben Hodges, tens of thousands of European soldiers are needed for effective protection of Ukraine. He emphasised that Europeans must work together with the US to create security guarantees that put real pressure on Moscow.
Trump has said he had "very successful" meetings with both Zelenskyy and Putin, but wants to see how the meeting between them goes before his own. He mentioned a religious motivation for his efforts towards a peaceful solution, stating "I'm trying to get into heaven if possible." This statement was confirmed by Leavitt to have been made seriously.
Putin proposed Moscow as a venue for the meeting, but the White House did not comment due to the confidentiality of conversations. It is unclear whether the Kremlin is ready for the proposed three-way meeting. The White House has confirmed that US Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Dan Caine will receive visits from his counterparts from Germany, the UK, France, Finland, and Italy this week to discuss security guarantees and their implementation.
The US and its allies will continue to monitor the situation closely and work towards a peaceful resolution in Ukraine.
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