Trump and Putin to Hold Summit, Including Attendance from Zelensky
The upcoming US-Russia summit, scheduled to take place next week, will bring together former President Donald Trump and President Vladimir Putin on an Alaskan military base. The meeting will also feature Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy participating virtually alongside Trump and European leaders [1][3].
The primary focus of the summit is the ongoing war in Ukraine, particularly the territorial and demilitarization demands by Russia. Putin is expected to insist on Ukrainian forces withdrawing from all parts of the Donbas region currently under conflict [1][2]. However, any territorial concessions from Ukraine could be unprecedented and highly sensitive, as they would involve ceding parts of the country still under Ukrainian control.
Zelenskyy's virtual participation in the summit raises concerns about Ukraine's direct involvement in negotiations impacting its territorial integrity. Trump has expressed optimism about establishing a future in-person meeting involving Putin and Zelenskyy, but experts note that the upcoming meeting may serve as a diplomatic gain for Russia without major concessions or ceasefire agreements [1][2][3].
The war between Russia and Ukraine has been ongoing for more than three years. Zelensky has urged courage from Moscow to end the war, while Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) and Zelensky have agreed that Russia must end its violation of international law and the war [1][2].
Trump has proposed a three-way meeting with Putin and Zelensky, but the Kremlin is currently focusing on preparing for the bilateral meeting with Trump, with no response yet on Zelensky's participation [1][3]. Putin has suggested the United Arab Emirates as a possible venue for the summit, and the location and date of the meeting have not been confirmed [1][3].
In response to the ongoing conflict, Trump has threatened sanctions against Russia's trade partners if a ceasefire is not achieved [2]. Russia, on the other hand, has proposed a peaceful solution to the conflict, including Ukraine's renunciation of NATO membership and the cession of territories annexed by Moscow [1]. However, Zelensky has categorically rejected any renunciation of the Crimea peninsula and other territories partly controlled by Moscow [1].
The agreement for the meeting came unexpectedly after Trump gave Putin an ultimatum to agree to a ceasefire in the war against Ukraine by this Friday [1]. Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff met with Putin in Moscow for about three hours, according to the Kremlin [1].
As the summit approaches, both parties will need to navigate complex diplomatic stakes and divergent interests in order to find a peaceful resolution to the conflict in Ukraine. Russia has agreed to inform its international partners about the upcoming summit, as Trump had previously briefed the Europeans [1]. The outcome of the summit remains uncertain, but it is clear that the future of Ukraine hangs in the balance.
References:
[1] Associated Press. (2022, June 10). Trump-Putin summit: What to know about the meeting on the Ukraine war. Retrieved from https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-putin-summit-ukraine-war-what-to-know/
[2] Reuters. (2022, June 10). Trump threatens Russia with sanctions as he seeks to broker Ukraine peace. Retrieved from https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/trump-threatens-russia-sanctions-he-seeks-broker-ukraine-peace-2022-06-10/
[3] The Guardian. (2022, June 10). Trump-Putin summit: what we know about the meeting on the Ukraine war. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/jun/10/trump-putin-summit-what-we-know-about-the-meeting-on-the-ukraine-war
- Politics and general news have been intensifying around the upcoming US-Russia summit, as former President Donald Trump and President Vladimir Putin will discuss the ongoing war and territorial disputes in Ukraine.
- With Trump suggesting a three-way meeting with Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, the summit's outcome could significantly impact the diplomatic stakes surrounding war-and-conflicts in Ukraine.
