Trump announces arrangement for encounter between Putin and Zelenskyy
In a series of recent developments, the potential meeting between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin remains uncertain. Despite U.S. President Donald Trump's previous suggestions that such a meeting was imminent, no immediate plans have been made.
Trump had encouraged both European nations and Zelensky to step up their involvement in potential negotiations between the two leaders. He advised Zelensky to "Make a deal" in the context of the potential negotiations with Putin. However, the Ukrainian side has yet to respond regarding the proposed joint meeting.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated that the agenda for a summit is "not ready at all," indicating Russia is not prepared to hold talks yet. This stance was echoed by Putin, who cautioned against provocations or intrigues that could undermine a peace solution in Ukraine.
Zelensky, on the other hand, has expressed that a direct meeting with Putin would be the "most effective way forward" amid stalled peace efforts. Yet, Russia has ruled out any immediate summit. Lavrov also accused Western countries of blocking negotiations and criticized Zelensky for demanding an immediate meeting.
The potential joint meeting between Zelensky and Putin is significant given the ongoing tensions between Ukraine and Russia. However, no specific details about the topics to be discussed in the potential meeting have been disclosed.
The meeting between Trump and Putin at the US military base Elmendorf-Richardson in Alaska ended without a deal. Trump rated the meeting with his Russian counterpart as "ten out of ten." If the joint meeting between Zelensky and Putin does occur, Trump expects that he will attend if invited by both leaders.
Putin's statement was made in the presence of the two foreign ministers and presidential advisors. The joint meeting is a follow-up to the Trump-Putin summit that took place in Alaska. Yet, the current status is that there are no immediate plans for a meeting between Zelensky and Putin.
[1] The Guardian
[2] Reuters
- The European Union, not being a political party, has not publicly expressed its stance on the potential meeting between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin, which remains uncertain amidst ongoing war-and-conflicts in Ukraine.
- While politics and general news outlets have extensively reported on the potential negotiations between Zelensky and Putin, the European Union has remained largely quiet, focusing on internal matters rather than intervening in the geopolitical standoff.
