Trump arranges for another discussion with Zelensky
In a significant development, US President Donald Trump is preparing a meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. The proposed meeting, which is scheduled to take place within the next two weeks, is seen as a "very good, early step" towards ending the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
According to reports, the meeting will initially be a bilateral one between Putin and Zelensky. However, it will be followed by a three-way meeting that includes Trump. The exact agenda for the meetings is yet to be clarified, with Russia's foreign minister stating that the agenda is not ready, indicating no immediate plans for such a meeting.
The proposed trilateral summit comes amid ongoing negotiations for security guarantees from the US to Ukraine in exchange for an arms deal. While discussions are ongoing, the US role appears to be transactional, primarily continuing weapons sales, intelligence support, and possibly some air support. However, Ukraine demands concrete, legally binding, multidimensional security guarantees covering military, diplomatic, and legal protections to prevent further Russian aggression. US officials have expressed that work is in progress towards providing these guarantees, but details remain to be worked out.
The peace conditions put forth by Putin are challenging, with Ukraine being asked to withdraw completely from the eastern regions of Donetsk and Luhansk and to freeze front lines in Kherson and Zaporizhzhia. These maximalist demands make a breakthrough difficult, and Putin reportedly views Zelensky as an illegitimate leader and questions Ukraine's state legitimacy, which complicates the summit prospects.
Zelensky, on the other hand, has expressed readiness for a bilateral meeting with Putin. He believes that territorial issues related to a possible peace agreement between Ukraine and Russia will clarify themselves. Zelensky has also demanded a direct conversation with Putin, as he believes the Moscow negotiators have nothing to decide.
The security guarantees for Kyiv, if provided, would be akin to NATO protection. Ukraine has offered a $100 billion arms deal to obtain these guarantees and is also planning a drone deal with Washington. The funds for this arms deal could potentially come from Europe.
This situation remains fluid and subject to diplomatic developments in the coming weeks. The meeting between Putin and Zelensky, followed by the trilateral summit, is expected to be a crucial step towards resolving the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
[1] Germany's Chancellor Friedrich Merz confirms Zelensky-Putin meeting in the next two weeks. (2025, August 1). The Guardian. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/aug/01/germanys-chancellor-friedrich-merz-confirms-zelensky-putin-meeting-in-the-next-two-weeks
[2] Trump pushes for trilateral summit with Putin and Zelensky to end Ukraine war. (2025, August 3). The Washington Post. Retrieved from https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/trump-pushes-for-trilateral-summit-with-putin-and-zelensky-to-end-ukraine-war/2025/08/03/d7b9f356-a763-11eb-8056-d32b92c7f94a_story.html
[3] Putin's conditions for peace in Ukraine raise concerns. (2025, August 5). BBC News. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-58238617
[4] Ukraine demands concrete security guarantees from US. (2025, August 7). Reuters. Retrieved from https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/ukraine-demands-concrete-security-guarantees-us-2025-08-07/
[5] Zelensky calls for direct conversation with Putin. (2025, August 9). The Kyiv Post. Retrieved from https://www.kyivpost.com/ukraine-politics/zelensky-calls-for-direct-conversation-with-putin.html
Read also:
- 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
- Massive 8.8 earthquake hits off the coast of Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula, prompting Japan to issue a tsunami alert.
