US President Donald Trump’s meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has raised questions about the path forward in peace negotiations. The three leaders met at the White House, where Trump expressed optimism about reaching a deal.
Trump committed to providing security guarantees for Ukraine and proposed a bilateral meeting between Zelenskyy and Putin. However, Russia has been cautious, saying it wants to be involved in any discussion on security guarantees. Kremlin spokesperson Sergey Lavrov stated that without Russia’s participation, the talks would “be on a road to nowhere.”
The White House has refused to confirm whether a trilateral meeting between Putin, Zelenskyy, and Trump will take place. Lavrov said that Putin proposed a higher level of delegations be considered in negotiations with Ukraine.
Trump also left open the possibility that Putin may not want to make a deal, saying “you never know.” The US president has instructed his national security team to develop a framework for security guarantees that can be acceptable to ensure a lasting peace and end the war.
Despite Trump’s commitment to providing security guarantees, Russia has expressed skepticism about the proposal. Lavrov stated that Russia would not accept any talks without its involvement, saying it “firmly and decisively protects its legitimate interests.”
The fate of a Putin-Zelenskyy summit remains uncertain as both sides appear to be holding out for concessions from the other.
Source: https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/trumps-met-putin-zelenskyy-russia-ukraine-peace-talks/story?id=124820431