Ukrainian President Zelensky prepares for a face-to-face encounter with Russian counterpart Putin
The proposed two-on-one meeting between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin is shrouded in uncertainty, with significant obstacles standing in the way.
While former U.S. President Donald Trump has been actively pushing for such a meeting and announced that arrangements are underway with various options being discussed, the Kremlin has not confirmed any concrete plans. Russian officials, including Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, have stated that the agenda for a meeting is "not ready," and thus the meeting is not imminent.
Zelensky has expressed a willingness to meet Putin, but only after Ukraine’s allies agree on security guarantees to prevent future Russian attacks. In contrast, Putin has historically refused direct talks with Zelensky, partly due to not recognizing his legitimacy as Ukraine’s leader, and Russia’s position remains unclear or cautious about raising the level of direct talks.
Logistical challenges and deep disagreements over key issues such as territorial control and security guarantees further complicate the prospect of a successful summit. Notable mentions among world leaders include French President Emmanuel Macron, who suggested Switzerland as a potential neutral venue for talks, and Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto, who proposed Budapest as another possible location. The international community, including European leaders, appears cautiously hopeful but pragmatic about the challenges of facilitating such a meeting.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who has expressed a desire to "put pressure on Russia" to achieve a ceasefire before further talks, has not been specifically mentioned in the search results. Macron also suggests a four-way meeting might be necessary for discussions about security guarantees, indicating a shift towards a more inclusive negotiation format.
Ukraine reportedly wants to secure US security guarantees after a peace deal with Russia by buying US weapons worth $100 billion. Merz states that no territorial concessions should be imposed on Ukraine.
In a recent development, US President Donald Trump has paused consultations with European leaders and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to speak with Russian President Vladimir Putin on the phone. Trump described his meeting with Zelensky and European partners as "very good." The meeting, which also includes German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, is expected to resume after Trump's call with Putin. The nature of Macron's displeasure during a discussion in the Oval Office with Trump, Zelensky, and European government representatives remains unclear.
The international community, including European leaders, are cautiously hopeful yet pragmatic about the challenges of facilitating a meeting between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin, as they closely watch the politics surrounding the proposed summit. Meanwhile, to address future conflicts, Ukraine is seeking US employment policies, such as security guarantees, after a potential peace deal with Russia, involving purchases of US weapons worth $100 billion.
