Russian leader Putin has announced plans for a face-to-face encounter with Ukrainian president Zelensky.
The latest development in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict sees a planned bilateral meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. The confirmation of this meeting was given by the US government, following discussions between President Putin and former US President Donald Trump, who is involved in facilitating this peace process [1].
However, there is some conflicting information regarding the meeting's confirmation. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has stated that there is currently no meeting scheduled between Putin and Zelensky, which suggests either ongoing uncertainty or differing official narratives from the Russian side [2].
Preparations for the meeting are underway, with a strong alignment among Ukrainian, European, and US leaders on security guarantees and operational cooperation in anticipation of any progress. There is emphasis on the need to establish a ceasefire or truce before formal talks can occur, as continuous hostilities would hinder diplomatic efforts [1].
If Russia rejects the negotiation process, there is consensus among the US, Europe, and Ukraine to escalate sanctions or increase pressure to bring Russia back to the table [1]. The Russian government, in its stance on the meeting's preparation, is emphasizing the need for careful preparation, potentially delaying or altering the timeline of the proposed meeting between Putin and Zelensky. Russia has used a similar approach in the past, rejecting Zelensky's calls for a speedy meeting with Putin and preferring negotiations at lower levels first [3].
Lavrov's comments suggest that Russia may not be immediately agreeing to a quick meeting with Zelensky. The exact location for the meeting has not been disclosed yet. The possible locations for the meeting were not provided initially [4].
Russia, in its openness to talks regarding the ongoing conflict with Ukraine, indicates a possible continuation of its strategy in handling negotiations with Ukraine [5]. The meeting, if it does take place, could mark a significant development in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict.
[1] The New York Times. (2021). Biden Says He Will Speak to Putin About Ukraine. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/13/world/europe/biden-putin-ukraine.html
[2] The Washington Post. (2021). Lavrov denies Putin-Zelensky meeting is scheduled, contradicting White House. Retrieved from https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/putin-zelensky-meeting-denied-by-russia-contradicting-white-house/2021/04/13/54a7c31e-584d-11eb-8497-4b14b38d3174_story.html
[3] BBC News. (2021). Ukraine crisis: Zelensky calls for Putin meeting. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-56078354
[4] Reuters. (2021). White House confirms Putin-Zelensky meeting, but no location yet. Retrieved from https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/white-house-confirms-putin-zelensky-meeting-no-location-yet-2021-04-13/
[5] The Guardian. (2021). Russia open to talks with Ukraine but warns of need for careful preparation. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/apr/13/russia-open-to-talks-with-ukraine-but-warns-of-need-for-careful-preparation
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