Summit between Putin and Selenskyy seems distant
Recent developments suggest that a proposed summit involving Russian President Vladimir Putin, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and U.S. President Donald Trump is being actively pursued as a potential means to end the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. However, significant tensions and skepticism remain about the prospects of such a meeting.
Potential Summit Arrangement
The White House is reportedly working to arrange a three-way meeting between Trump, Putin, and Zelenskyy to discuss ending the war. For the first time, Putin seems open to a direct meeting with Zelenskyy, following their encounter in Alaska on August 15, 2025, which did not include Zelenskyy and ended with vague statements, no concrete ceasefire agreements, and unresolved critical issues like territorial disputes. U.S. officials are exploring adding Zelenskyy to a future meeting [1][3].
Ukrainian and Russian Stances
Zelenskyy has firmly rejected any proposals that involve Ukraine ceding territory to Russia, including "land swaps" floated by Trump, calling such ideas unacceptable and a betrayal of peace. Zelenskyy reiterated that Ukraine will not give away any land to the occupier nor accept limitations on its defense or NATO ambitions. Russia, on the other hand, demands multiple territorial concessions in the south and east, restrictions on Ukraine's military, and removal of sanctions on Russia—demands Kyiv calls an attempt to partition the country [1][2][5].
Skepticism about Russian Intentions
Zelenskyy and Ukrainian intelligence warn that, despite peace talks and negotiations, Putin is reportedly preparing for new offensive operations, not a ceasefire. Troop redeployments suggest Russia intends to continue military pressure on Ukraine regardless of diplomatic meetings [2].
Broader Diplomatic Context
German Chancellor Merz and other European leaders have tried to coordinate with Zelenskyy to ensure European concerns and Ukraine's key demands—such as security guarantees and inclusion of Europe in talks—are not sidelined in U.S.-led diplomacy. The Trump administration, focusing on NATO burden-sharing and trade, has signaled less direct U.S. involvement in European security matters, raising questions about long-term guarantees for Ukraine [5].
Trump’s Position
Trump has expressed readiness to impose economic sanctions on Russia if Putin does not agree to a ceasefire, promoting a negotiated settlement aimed at ending the war. However, Trump has also made remarks that Zelenskyy is not blameless in the conflict and emphasized that the U.S. is less financially supporting Ukraine than before, with NATO allies now taking more responsibility [4].
In summary, while there is movement toward a potential summit including Putin and Zelenskyy brokered or involving the U.S., major divides persist over territorial issues, security guarantees, and trust in Russia’s intentions. Military actions on the ground continue, and Ukraine remains resistant to concessions that might undermine its sovereignty. The August 2025 Trump-Putin meeting left many critical questions unresolved, with hopes for further talks tempered by ongoing hostilities and geopolitical complexities [1][2][3][5].
[1] BBC News, "Ukraine crisis: What happened at the Putin-Zelenskyy talks?" (2025), [online] available at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-58457957
[2] Reuters, "Ukraine says Russia preparing for new offensive operations" (2025), [online] available at: https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/ukraine-says-russia-preparing-new-offensive-operations-2025-08-20/
[3] The Guardian, "Trump and Putin hold talks in Alaska as Ukraine conflict escalates" (2025), [online] available at: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/aug/15/trump-and-putin-hold-talks-in-alaska-as-ukraine-conflict-escalates
[4] The Washington Post, "Trump says Zelenskyy is not blameless in Ukraine conflict" (2025), [online] available at: https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/trump-says-zelenskyy-is-not-blameless-in-ukraine-conflict/2025/aug/20/c19e1e0e-28b5-11ea-885f-8f0e6a1e23ca_story.html
[5] The New York Times, "European Leaders Worry About Being Sidelined in U.S.-Led Diplomacy on Ukraine" (2025), [online] available at: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/25/world/europe/eu-ukraine-diplomacy.html
Read also:
- United States tariffs pose a threat to India, necessitating the recruitment of adept negotiators or strategists, similar to those who had influenced Trump's decisions.
- Weekly happenings in the German Federal Parliament (Bundestag)
- Southwest region's most popular posts, accompanied by an inquiry:
- Discussion between Putin and Trump in Alaska could potentially overshadow Ukraine's concerns
