Putin-Zelensky Meeting Puzzle: White House Consultations

Consultations were held at the White House regarding a possible meeting between Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelensky. Despite initial announcements of a trilateral meeting with Donald Trump, the Kremlin appears more restrained.

Kremlin advisor Yuri Ushakov emphasized that the idea was discussed, but careful preparation is needed. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov agreed on the need for careful preparation.

Economist Dimitris Tzanidakis believes that Donald Trump would seek a bilateral Ukraine-Russia meeting and then a trilateral one, in order to present himself as a peacemaker.

Mr. Tzanidakis argues that Putin has no reason to stop the war in Ukraine, as conditions favor him. Furthermore, European leaders emphasized that Russia poses a threat to European security.

Donald Trump stated that Volodymyr Zelensky "must show flexibility" in negotiations.

According to Mr. Tzanidakis, the presence of European leaders demonstrated that Ukraine is not alone and that the Ukrainian issue is also a European issue.