Putin received a warm welcome in Alaska on Friday - Source : Getty Images
The Kremlin has tempered expectations for an immediate summit between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelensky. This comes as Donald Trump, fresh from recent diplomatic engagements, reiterated his call for the two leaders to meet and resolve the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
This renewed push for direct talks follows Trump's meeting with Putin in Alaska last week. Subsequently, the US president hosted seven European leaders and Zelensky at the White House on Monday, signaling a concentrated effort to address the protracted war.
Trump acknowledged the conflict's inherent difficulty, conceding that Putin might not be genuinely interested in de-escalating hostilities. "We're going to find out about President Putin in the next couple of weeks," Trump stated, adding, "It's possible that he doesn't want to make a deal."
Should Putin prove unwilling to negotiate, Trump suggested the Russian president would face a "rough situation," though he didn't elaborate on potential consequences. This statement underscores the delicate balance of power and the uncertainty surrounding future peace prospects.
Earlier in the week, Putin had indicated to Trump his openness to direct discussions with Ukraine. However, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov quickly diluted this commitment, emphasizing that any meeting would require gradual preparation, starting at an expert level and progressing through various stages.
Dmitry Polyanskiy, Russia's deputy representative to the UN, affirmed that direct talks hadn't been rejected, but stressed they shouldn't be merely "a meeting for the sake of a meeting." This highlights the Kremlin's desire for substantive negotiations rather than symbolic gestures.
Reports on Tuesday indicated that Putin's suggestion for Zelensky to travel to Moscow for talks was unlikely to be accepted by Kyiv. This move may have been a strategic attempt by Russia to present an unpalatable option, thereby shifting the onus of refusal onto Ukraine.
Recent discussions have provided Trump with a clearer understanding of the war's complexities and the significant divergence between Moscow's demands and Kyiv's stance. His much-publicized goal of securing a ceasefire hasn't materialized.
Consequently, the US president now advocates for Ukraine and Russia to pursue a permanent peace deal directly. Despite the lack of a ceasefire, some progress was made regarding security guarantees for Ukraine, a critical point for Kyiv's sovereignty.
Zelensky and European leaders seemingly convinced Trump that such commitments are paramount for Ukraine's independence in any peace agreement. This consensus marks a significant step in aligning international efforts to support Ukraine's long-term security.
On Tuesday, Trump offered US air support to Europeans willing to deploy ground troops in Ukraine, should a ceasefire or peace deal be reached. He explicitly ruled out deploying US forces, leaving the specifics of air support, such as intelligence or warplanes, undefined.
While Trump's pledges remain ambiguous, the France and UK-led Coalition of the Willing has been actively developing plans for a reassurance force. This force would be deployed to Ukraine if hostilities cease, providing a crucial layer of post-conflict stability.
Following a virtual meeting of the group, a Downing Street spokesperson announced upcoming discussions with US counterparts. These talks aim to "further strengthen plans to deliver robust security guarantees," indicating a concerted effort to solidify security frameworks.
After his summit with Putin and subsequent talks with Zelensky, Trump now believes direct talks could accelerate a peace deal, despite acknowledging the "tremendous bad blood" between the two leaders. Their last meeting was in 2019.
Since then, Moscow's war on Kyiv has caused tens of thousands of casualties, widespread destruction, and ongoing aerial attacks on civilian targets. This grim reality underscores the urgency and difficulty of achieving lasting peace.
Putin views Zelensky as illegitimate and attributes Ukraine's growing Western alignment to him. For years, he's made unsubstantiated claims of a "neo-Nazi regime" in Kyiv, asserting that any ceasefire would necessitate a change in Ukraine's leadership.
Russia also shows little interest in negotiations while its forces maintain an advantage on the front lines. This strategic position allows Moscow to dictate terms and resist concessions, complicating diplomatic efforts.
Despite Russia's reluctance, European leaders and Zelensky have publicly supported the idea of a bilateral meeting. Zelensky expressed openness to "any format" of meeting Putin, and European nations have proposed potential summit locations.
Their enthusiastic support for direct talks likely aims to encourage Trump to adopt a firmer stance against Moscow if Putin remains unwilling to pursue peace. This unified front seeks to exert diplomatic pressure on Russia.
However, Ukraine's European partners appear less optimistic than Trump about an imminent resolution. French President Emmanuel Macron described Putin as "a predator, and an ogre at our doorstep," expressing significant doubt about his willingness to work towards peace.
Finnish President Alexander Stubb echoed this skepticism, stating Putin was "rarely to be trusted" and expressing doubt about a meeting with Zelensky materializing. These sentiments highlight the deep-seated distrust among European leaders.
Further high-level discussions are scheduled in the coming days, with lingering questions about the extent of Trump's support for Europe. Britain's military chief, Admiral Tony Radakin, is traveling to Washington for talks on deploying a reassurance force in Ukraine.
Additionally, NATO military chiefs are expected to hold a virtual meeting on Wednesday. These ongoing dialogues underscore the international community's sustained efforts to navigate the complex geopolitical landscape and find a path to peace.
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