Zelenskyy's potential involvement in the Trump-Putin meeting
In the lead-up to the anticipated Trump-Putin summit on August 15, Ukraine remains a key player in the ongoing negotiations between the United States and Russia.
Ukraine's President, Volodymyr Zelensky, has been actively engaging with European leaders and U.S. officials, underscoring Ukraine's pivotal role in deciding the terms of any peace agreement. The U.S. administration has reiterated that Ukraine itself must decide the conditions for any peace deal, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio stating that Putin has not yet made sufficient concessions for a just peace agreement[1].
Despite these ongoing diplomatic efforts, Russia, under Putin's leadership, continues military offensives in eastern Ukraine and has rejected a full ceasefire. Putin seems to be focusing the negotiations narrowly on the Ukrainian regions that Russia illegally annexed, excluding others where fighting persists[2]. This suggests that Russia is negotiating without fully halting hostilities and is reluctant to broaden the scope of peace talks.
European leaders, in alignment with the U.S. position, insist on Ukraine’s involvement in these discussions[3]. In a joint statement, several European leaders and the European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen have called on the American president to increase pressure on Russia[4].
Meanwhile, the Ukrainian army has made gains, retaking a village in the northern region of Sumy from Russian forces[5]. However, the conflict continues to take a heavy toll, with six people killed and dozens injured in Russian strikes in Ukraine on Sunday[6]. Two oil refineries were bombed by the Ukrainians in Russia, according to official sources on Sunday[7], and a Russian guided bomb hit the busy central bus station in Zaporizhzhia, injuring 20 people[8].
As the summit approaches, it appears that President Trump has the final decision on whether to invite Volodymyr Zelensky[9]. Kyiv is working closely with the United States to achieve real peace, and the EU's foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, has urged for any agreement between the US and Russia to include Ukraine and the EU[10].
An "extraordinary meeting" of EU foreign ministers is scheduled for Monday via video conference to discuss the next steps[11]. Volodymyr Zelensky has urged his European allies to adopt a common approach[12]. As the world watches, the stage is set for a crucial summit that could shape the future of Ukraine and the broader region.
Politics surrounding the upcoming Trump-Putin summit on August 15 involves war-and-conflicts in Ukraine, particularly as Ukraine's President, Volodymyr Zelensky, engages with European leaders and U.S. officials to decide the terms of a peace agreement. The general news, however, highlights ongoing military offensives by Russia in eastern Ukraine, suggesting that Russia may be negotiating without halting hostilities.
