The Kremlin played down expectations of imminent Putin-Zelensky peace talks, despite fresh calls for a summit. Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said any meeting must be prepared “gradually… starting with the expert level,” a familiar line from Moscow. Dmitry Polyanskiy, Russia’s deputy UN envoy, added that “nobody” had rejected talks. However, he warned against “a meeting for the sake of a meeting.”
Trump Pushes Direct Meeting
After meeting Vladimir Putin in Alaska last week and hosting seven European leaders and Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House on Monday, US President Donald Trump renewed his push for Putin-Zelensky peace talks.
“We’re going to find out about President Putin in the next couple of weeks… It’s possible that he doesn’t want to make a deal,” Trump said.
He now argues it “would be better” if the two leaders first meet without him. Though he would join “if necessary,” according to the BBC and Gazeta Express.
Security Guarantees on The Table
Trump’s earlier promise of a quick ceasefire has not materialised. He now backs moving toward a permanent peace deal. He also says the US could help Europeans “by air” if they provide troops under a ceasefire or peace deal. Meanwhile, he rules out US boots on the ground.
Details of any air support remain unclear. A France- and UK-led “coalition of the willing” is working on a reassurance force and “robust security guarantees” for Ukraine. UK officials are set to meet US counterparts. NATO military chiefs plan a virtual meeting, and the UK’s Admiral Tony Radakin is travelling to Washington for talks.
Europe Stays Sceptical
European leaders caution against optimism. France’s Emmanuel Macron called Putin “a predator, and an ogre at our doorstep,” expressing “the greatest doubt” about his intentions. Finland’s Alexander Stubb said Putin is “rarely to be trusted” and doubted a meeting will happen soon. The BBC notes the last Putin-Zelensky meeting was in 2019; since then, Russia’s war has brought mass casualties and destruction.
