Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has intensified diplomatic efforts to broker an end to the ongoing conflict with Russia, proposing a three-way summit involving former U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. This comes as the war escalates, with intensified aerial attacks from both sides and no clear pathway to peace.
Zelensky’s proposal follows a recent rejection by Putin of a bilateral meeting with the Ukrainian leader in Turkey. The Kremlin has maintained that discussions can only commence after a preliminary agreement is reached. Frustration has been expressed on all sides, with President Joe Biden showing particular exasperation with both leaders for their failure to negotiate a resolution to the protracted conflict that has ravaged Ukraine since Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022.
The ongoing hostilities have sparked significant military actions. Ukrainian forces reportedly launched nearly 300 drones at strategic targets in Russia overnight, a move characterized by the Russian Ministry of Defense as unprecedented in scale. In response to these continual assaults, Zelensky reaffirmed his openness to any format for dialogue, stating, “If Putin is not comfortable with a bilateral meeting, or if everyone wants it to be a trilateral meeting, I don’t mind. I am ready for any format.”
Zelensky also leveraged support from Washington, urging for an escalated package of sanctions aimed squarely at Russia’s vital banking and energy sectors. “We are waiting for sanctions from the United States of America,” he asserted. Zelensky referenced discussions held with Trump, asserting that the former president indicated that additional sanctions would follow if Russian aggression persisted. “We discussed two main aspects with him—energy and the banking system. Will the U.S. be able to impose sanctions on these two sectors? I would very much like that,” he added, indicating a blend of hope and frustration regarding U.S. response to Russian actions.
Trump, for his part, has not shied away from harsh rhetoric directed at Putin. Over the weekend, he described the Russian leader as “crazy” in light of a recent barrage that resulted in civilian casualties, including the deaths of at least 13 individuals in Ukraine. On his social media platform, Truth Social, Trump characterized his past actions as beneficial for Russia, implying that his previous administration’s stances had mitigated further escalation.
Despite extensive diplomatic endeavors led by the United States and its allies, there appears to be little progress toward a settlement. The devastation wrought by the conflict is staggering, with tens of thousands of lives lost, large swathes of Ukraine devastated, and Russian forces currently occupying approximately 20% of Ukraine’s territory, including the Crimean Peninsula annexed in 2014.
On the military front, Ukrainian intelligence has reported that Russia is amassing over 50,000 troops along the northeastern border, particularly in the Sumy region, as it seeks to establish a “buffer zone” within Ukrainian territory. Zelensky noted that this troop buildup is part of a broader strategy that has included the capture of several settlements in the region.
In a further sign of stalled negotiations, Zelensky mentioned the absence of a promised “memorandum” from Russia outlining its demands for a peace agreement. This lack of communication has been perceived by Ukrainian officials as a stalling tactic designed to prolong negotiations. These sentiments were echoed following the first direct talks in over three years held earlier this month in Istanbul, which left many issues unresolved.
Amidst these tensions, Zelensky is scheduled to visit Germany for talks with Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who has expressed strong support for Kyiv in its fight against Russian aggression. Concurrently, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has hinted that details regarding a second round of negotiations may soon be forthcoming, though it remains unclear what conditions will shape this potential dialogue.
As the conflict continues to escalate, both military actions and diplomatic overtures will be pivotal in determining the next steps in the ongoing war. The international community watches closely, as the implications of these developments extend beyond the immediate battlefield, affecting geopolitical stability and global economic conditions. The pressing need for resolution remains evident, and the effectiveness of ongoing negotiations and sanctions will play a critical role in shaping the future of Ukraine and its interactions with Russia.