The Kremlin dismissed a request from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for a trilateral summit involving U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. This rejection follows ongoing attempts by Kyiv to urge Moscow to cease its aggressive actions that have persisted for three years.
Kremlin officials stated that any potential meeting between Putin and Zelensky would only materialize after concrete agreements were made through negotiators from both nations. This sentiment echoes Putin’s previous dismissal of informal engagements, including a proposed meeting in Turkey earlier this month, where he expressed his lack of recognition of Zelensky as a legitimate leader and indicated a desire for a change in Ukrainian leadership.
In recent events, U.S. President Trump has voiced his frustration towards both leaders for their failure to reach a resolution to the ongoing conflict. Both Ukraine and Russia have ramped up aerial assaults in the past weeks, with Ukraine reportedly launching nearly 300 drones in a single night against Russian targets, according to Moscow’s defense ministry.
Zelensky, in a statement to journalists, expressed his readiness for any format of meeting, including a possibility of a “Trump-Putin-me” dialogue, indicating his willingness to explore different avenues for negotiation. However, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov maintained that such a meeting should only occur after genuine agreements had been established by the two delegations.
Recent peace talks held in Istanbul marked the first direct negotiations in over three years but concluded without significant outcomes. Meanwhile, Moscow continues to resist calls from the West for an immediate ceasefire.
Zelensky is pressing for a set of stringent sanctions from Washington targeting Russia’s banking and energy sectors. In discussions, he highlighted Trump’s position that sanctions would be imposed if Russian aggressions did not cease, specifically focusing on energy and banking.
Amid criticisms directed at the Russian leadership, Trump labeled Putin’s actions as “crazy,” particularly in light of a recent Russian strike that resulted in at least 13 fatalities in Ukraine. He has warned of severe repercussions for Russia, reiterating his influence on mitigating adverse outcomes for the nation.
The ongoing conflict that erupted following Russia’s invasion in February 2022 has resulted in tens of thousands of casualties and extensive destruction across Ukraine. Currently, Russian forces occupy around 20% of Ukrainian territory, including the annexed Crimean peninsula.
Following Zelensky’s press comments, Ukraine conducted one of its largest drone attacks against Russian positions, with Moscow reporting minimal damage. Affected were several key international airports, which halted operations for hours due to the busy offensive.
Accusations from Kyiv suggest that Russia is deliberately prolonging the peace negotiations and lacks interest in de-escalating its military endeavors. Ukraine has yet to receive a promised “memorandum” outlining Moscow’s position on peace terms, which Kremlin representatives claim is nearing completion.
On the battlefield, reports indicate that Russia is massing over 50,000 troops near the northeastern Sumy region, where they have secured several territories as part of an effort to create a buffer zone within Ukrainian land. This military buildup casts further uncertainty over prospects for peace.
Zelensky was engaged in discussions in Germany with Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who reaffirmed strong support for Ukraine’s defense against Russian aggression. The geopolitical landscape continues to develop amidst these critical moments, with attention concentrated on both diplomatic efforts and military strategies.
