Zelensky claims that Ukraine plays a crucial role in decisions made by Trump and Putin.
The ongoing war in Ukraine, which has been raging for nearly three-and-a-half years, is the focus of a series of high-stakes diplomatic meetings. The anticipated trilateral meeting between US President Donald Trump, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is set to be a pivotal moment in the conflict.
The meeting, planned as a three-step process, will first involve bilateral talks between Trump and Zelensky in the White House. European leaders, including European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, are also expected to participate, aiming to present a united front.
President Zelensky has expressed confidence that this trilateral meeting will take place in the future, stating that it is crucial for achieving a lasting peace. However, peace talks will require concessions from both Russia and Ukraine.
Trump has shifted his stance from seeking just a ceasefire to pushing for a more comprehensive peace agreement. He emphasises that Ukraine might end the war quickly if it accepts key Russian demands such as relinquishing Crimea and abandoning NATO membership hopes, which are central to Putin's conditions.
Despite the optimism, there's no guarantee that a deal will emerge immediately from these talks. The Ukraine was not present at the earlier meeting with Putin, and the goal is to get both Putin and Zelensky in the same room to negotiate directly.
The trilateral meeting is considered important for the bilateral relations between Trump and Putin, with Zelensky insisting that any decisions about Ukraine must include Ukraine. Trump has expressed a desire to stop the bloodshed in Ukraine as soon as possible, but at the beginning of the week, he stated he would not sign any agreement on the Ukraine war with Putin, asserting it is not his responsibility.
The meeting between Trump and Putin is scheduled to take place in the US state of Alaska on Friday. The Ukraine has been defending itself against Russian invasion for over three years with Western support.
These talks represent a renewed push for a diplomatic resolution to the conflict in Ukraine, but they face skepticism given past failures and the complex geopolitical and military realities. Potential outcomes could range from a ceasefire evolving into a full peace agreement, contingent on Ukraine agreeing to difficult compromises, especially regarding territorial issues like Crimea and Ukraine’s NATO ambitions.
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