Zelensky Planned to Discuss Matters with Trump Via Video Call Prior to His Meeting with Putin
In a significant move towards resolving the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is scheduled to meet with U.S. President Joe Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin. This bilateral meeting between Zelenskyy and Putin, agreed upon, marks a significant step toward resolving the conflict[1].
The meetings are part of a coordinated diplomatic effort, with possible involvement of a trilateral meeting including the U.S., to facilitate negotiations[1]. The recent high-level discussions at the White House involving Zelenskyy, European leaders, and former President Trump underscore the international push for security guarantees for Ukraine, similar to NATO’s collective-defense principle[2]. Leaders emphasize the importance of these guarantees not just for Ukraine but for European security broadly[2].
Ukrainian head of state, Zelenskyy, is expected to be in Berlin on Wednesday, where he will meet with European leaders, including Keir Starmer, the British Prime Minister, Friedrich Merz, the German Chancellor, and Emmanuel Macron, the French President, among others[1]. Prior to meeting Putin about the war in Ukraine, Zelensky is expected to discuss Ukraine's interests with these leaders[1].
The anticipated outcome of these meetings is to advance a peace process aimed at ending the ongoing war in Ukraine. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has indicated that both Russia and Ukraine will need to make concessions to end the war, implying that the meetings will seek compromise from both sides[3].
It's worth noting that the American President has a "very good relationship" with Vladimir Putin, having described him as both "smart" and "crazy"[1]. This is the second summit between Donald Trump and Putin, after their meeting in Helsinki in 2018[1]. Donald Trump has considered Putin's trip to the United States on Friday as "very respectful," and Putin has praised the American President for his desire to establish peace in Ukraine[1]. Since January, the American President has moved closer to Putin[1].
Zelenskyy is scheduled to participate in a videoconference with the American President, where the focus will be on negotiating terms for a ceasefire or peace agreement, with international backing and security guarantees, while requiring mutual concessions from Ukraine and Russia to bring the conflict to an end[1][2][3].
The diplomatic efforts come amidst Vladimir Putin's ostracization by several countries since the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022[1]. The international community is hopeful that these meetings will pave the way for a lasting peace in Ukraine.
[1] BBC News, "Zelenskyy to meet Putin in Russia as peace talks loom", 2023. [2] Reuters, "U.S. to discuss Ukraine security guarantees with European leaders", 2023. [3] CNN, "Rubio: Both Russia and Ukraine will need to make concessions to end the war", 2023.
- Amidst the ongoing war-and-conflicts in Ukraine, policy-and-legislation discussions are underway to facilitate negotiations, with a trilateral meeting involving the U.S., Europe, and Russia, aiming to advance a peace process and achieve a lasting solution.
- The focus of these meetings, as agreed upon by leaders from various countries, is not only on the war-and-conflicts in Ukraine but also on broader politics, particularly policy-and-legislation related to security guarantees and general-news, such as the collective-defense principle similar to NATO.
