Ambitious discussions of a summit between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin are underway, but significant skepticism surrounds the viability of such a meeting. Multiple locations including Geneva, Vienna, Budapest, and Istanbul have been proposed for this critical diplomatic endeavor, although any manifestation of it seems to be stalled.
Just days after Donald Trump expressed optimism regarding the potential for a meeting within weeks, uncertainty has dominated the airwaves. Trump indicated that arrangements for the summit were underway, suggesting that a recent phone conversation had resulted in Putin’s tentative agreement. However, the Kremlin’s response has been notably less confident, with aide Yuri Ushakov framing the discussion as merely exploratory, implying that talks may involve lower-level representatives rather than the presidents themselves.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz noted that a meeting might occur "within the next two weeks," but voiced doubts about Putin's willingness to attend, emphasizing the need for persuasion. Trump alluded to potential pressure on Russia should negotiations falter but refrained from elaborating.
Moscow’s stance appears to imply a willingness to engage in talks, albeit with conditions that Kyiv is likely to find unacceptable. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov stated that any summit would hinge on addressing all necessary "high-level" issues beforehand, echoing previous Kremlin rhetoric that has resisted compromise.
While Trump envoy Steve Witkoff previously declared that security guarantees for Ukraine had been accepted by Russia, clarity regarding those guarantees remains elusive. Lavrov suggested that alternatives to Russia’s proposals would be “futile,” indicating that these security arrangements may reflect prior offers rejected by Kyiv in 2022.
Zelensky has made it clear that any meeting with Putin would need guarantees from Ukraine's allies, which would presumably be unacceptable to Moscow and resonate poorly within the context of existing diplomatic tensions. As of now, both nations persist in their longstanding positions, accusing each other of sabotaging potential peace talks.
Despite the numerous suggestions for locations, Hungary's Budapest has been mentioned as a potential host. Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjártó stated that Hungary is prepared to facilitate the summit, granting equitable conditions if provided with an hour's notice. However, historical grievances link Budapest to negative sentiments among Ukrainian officials. Ukrainian Prime Minister Zelensky has voiced concerns, highlighting Hungary's unsupportive stance regarding Ukraine and the risk that Budapest may not serve as genuinely neutral ground.
Others, including Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, have also expressed opposition to Budapest as a venue, citing its past diplomatic failures, and optimistically suggested seeking alternative locations.
French President Emmanuel Macron raised the potential of Switzerland as a neutral venue with a history of facilitating significant negotiations, as did Zelensky with Vienna, where international organizations frequently convene. Both countries, Switzerland and Austria, have indicated readiness to provide immunity for Putin during potential peace talks despite the International Criminal Court's warrant for war crimes.
Other locations speculated include Turkey, which has previously hosted delegation-level talks, as well as the Vatican and Saudi Arabia, both of which could provide a unique backdrop for negotiations.
Amid these discussions, military action continues between Ukraine and Russia. Ukraine reported targeting an oil refinery in Russia, while Russia escalated its attacks on Ukraine, resulting in casualties. Zelensky took to social media to assert the lack of genuine commitment from Moscow towards meaningful negotiation efforts, asserting a need for ongoing pressure to prompt constructive dialogue.
