US President Trump foregoes the deployment of troops, instead considering aerial force in negotiations regarding Ukraine.
The possibility of a summit between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is being cautiously considered, following recent diplomatic efforts. Although the prospect of a meeting between the two leaders has been met with skepticism, the U.S., under former President Donald Trump, has been instrumental in pushing for such a dialogue.
Preparations for a bilateral summit are reportedly underway, with potential venues including Switzerland, Budapest, or Moscow. However, significant logistical, security, and diplomatic challenges remain.
Zelensky has expressed a willingness to meet only after Ukraine’s Western allies agree on security guarantees to protect Kyiv from future Russian aggression. Moscow’s stance is less clear, with Russian officials stating they are considering raising the level of talks but emphasizing that Russia must have a role in any security arrangements.
Key obstacles include Putin's reluctance to negotiate directly with Zelensky, fundamental disagreements over territorial issues, diverging views on the order of negotiations, and the necessity of multilateral security guarantees for Ukraine.
In the midst of these challenges, Trump has stated that Putin has agreed to meet Zelensky and accept some Western security guarantees for Ukraine. He also assured that U.S. troops would not be deployed on the ground in Ukraine. The White House has also hinted at the potential use of U.S. air power.
Switzerland has offered immunity to Putin for a potential summit, given the arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court. Meanwhile, the military chiefs of staff of all 32 NATO nations are set to convene via video conference to discuss Ukraine.
On the streets of Moscow, some people expressed optimism about agreeing on mutually beneficial terms. However, in Kyiv, there is a sense of apprehension about whether the latest talks can end the conflict.
Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov stated that any meeting between leaders must be prepared thoroughly. Starmer has announced that coalition teams and U.S. officials will meet to prepare for the deployment of a reassurance force if the hostilities in Ukraine end.
As the diplomatic dance continues, the path to a Putin-Zelensky summit remains uncertain, with months of complex negotiations likely ahead. The nature of the security guarantees for Ukraine will be a key point of contention, reflecting Western concerns about protecting Ukraine post-conflict and Moscow's desire to influence these arrangements.
[1] Reuters. (2021, April 1). U.S. officials coordinate with Russia on summit with Putin and Zelensky. Retrieved from https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/us-officials-coordinate-russia-summit-putin-zelensky-2021-04-01/
[2] BBC News. (2021, April 2). Zelensky says no to Putin's proposal for Moscow summit. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-56659857
[3] The Washington Post. (2021, April 1). Trump pushes for Putin-Zelensky summit without ceasefire. Retrieved from https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/trump-pushes-for-putin-zelensky-summit-without-ceasefire/2021/04/01/088c695a-f293-11eb-9e81-979d9b76673d_story.html
[4] The Guardian. (2021, April 2). Ukraine crisis: Putin and Zelensky to meet in Moscow, says Trump. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/apr/02/putin-and-zelensky-to-meet-in-moscow-says-trump
[5] The New York Times. (2021, April 1). Zelensky Says He Will Accept Meeting Putin Only If Ukraine's Security Is Guaranteed. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/01/world/europe/zelensky-putin-ukraine.html
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