Trump received a proposal from Putin for a meeting with Zelensky in Moscow.

The Russia-Ukraine conflict continues to be a significant geopolitical issue, with both sides and their allies pushing for different agendas. Here are the latest developments in the negotiations:

Direct Meeting between Putin and Zelenskyy Remains Elusive

Despite calls for a meeting between Presidents Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelenskyy, no immediate agreement has been reached. Russia, through its Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, has rejected proposed timelines and conditions for such a meeting, insisting on addressing Russia's "legitimate security concerns" first.

These concerns include NATO's eastward expansion and Western security guarantees that would exclude Ukraine from joining NATO and limit its military capabilities[1][2].

Ukraine and the West Push for Concrete Security Guarantees

Ukraine, supported by U.S. officials, remains willing to meet and seeks concrete, legally binding, and multidimensional security guarantees to prevent future aggression[3]. However, Russia insists that any peace agreement must involve "guarantor countries," primarily the permanent members of the UN Security Council, with conditions strongly favoring Russian demands.

Core Security Issues at the Forefront

Russia's key concerns in the negotiations revolve around NATO expansion and Ukraine's military limitations, which it considers prerequisites for any negotiations or ceasefire[1][2]. Russia has also demanded that Ukraine cede four regions—Donetsk, Lugansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia—and permanently renounce joining NATO.

Continued Dialogue but No Imminent Progress

Direct negotiations in Istanbul (dubbed "Istanbul 2") have been ongoing for months, with limited progress beyond prisoner exchanges[2]. While there is ongoing dialogue at lower levels and expressed willingness by Ukraine and parts of the West, the path to a top-level meeting and ceasefire remains complicated by diverging Russian and Ukrainian demands and Kremlin insistence on addressing geopolitical security issues first.

Military Actions and Losses

The war in Ukraine has resulted in tens of thousands of deaths on both sides. Kiev's forces have targeted military targets in Russian territory and the Crimean Peninsula, which was illegally annexed by Moscow in 2014. Russian aerial attacks have targeted Ukrainian cities and infrastructure in the last few months.

Ceasefire Proposals and Rejections

Russia has rejected a prolonged ceasefire and considers accepting a 30-day ceasefire would allow Ukrainian forces to rearm themselves with Western military supplies. The warring parties have yet to agree on a mutually acceptable ceasefire condition that addresses the root causes of the conflict, such as NATO's presence and Ukraine's alleged discrimination against Russian speakers.

The complexities and stalemate in the Russia-Ukraine negotiations underscore the need for continued diplomatic efforts to find a peaceful resolution to the conflict.

[1] RFE/RL

[2] Reuters

[3] CNN

Trump received a proposal from Putin for a meeting with Zelensky in Moscow.