Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has announced his readiness to attend a proposed summit with Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin, set to take place in Hungary, should an invitation be extended.
The announcement follows a recent phone call between the U.S. and Russian presidents, wherein they expressed intentions to discuss the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Zelensky, addressing reporters on Monday, stated, If it is an invitation in a format where we meet as three or, as it's called, shuttle diplomacy... then in one format or another, we will agree.
Despite the potential for dialogue, reports reveal that Zelensky's meeting with Trump at the White House was fraught with tension, described by some as a shouting match. Sources conveyed that the U.S. side pressured Ukraine to consider Russia's conditions for peace.
During his post-meeting press briefing, Zelensky seemed cautious yet indicated significant disagreements arose during discussions. He underlined that his ultimate goal remains a just peace rather than merely a swift resolution. Furthermore, he criticized Hungary—specifically its leader Viktor Orban—as an inadequate facilitator for the talks, pointing out his perceived alignment with Kremlin interests.
Trump, on the other hand, suggested maintaining a comfortable environment for all parties during their discussions, implying that the leaders may need to convene separately while still facilitating a collective dialogue.
While Zelensky had hoped to secure advanced weaponry, specifically U.S. Tomahawk missiles, Trump refrained from committing to such assistance, leading to sentiments of disappointment on the Ukrainian side regarding the outcome of the meeting.
Furthermore, the atmosphere of the Trump-Zelensky engagement reportedly sowed apprehension, with Trump allegedly warning that failure to acquiesce to Vladimir Putin's demands could spell disaster for Ukraine.
This complex geopolitical scenario continues to evolve as world leaders grapple with strategies for navigating the delicate balance between peace negotiations and territorial integrity amid ongoing conflict.
