Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed on the social media platform X that he intends to meet with President Donald Trump to discuss the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, emphasizing the importance of achieving a peace that is ‘real and lasting, not just another pause between Russian invasions.’
Zelenskyy expressed gratitude for the invitation and reiterated his demands for the release of Ukrainian prisoners of war and civilians, alongside the return of abducted children, stating, ‘All of them must come home.’
This announcement followed a meeting between President Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, a U.S. military facility in Anchorage, Alaska.
The meeting was marked by a ceremonial red carpet and military flyover, showcasing U.S. military strength as fighter jets and a B-2 stealth bomber roared overhead, eliciting a reaction from President Putin.
While the summit held significant symbolic value, it yielded few tangible results. Trump later indicated that the leaders had agreed to pursue a ‘Peace Agreement’ instead of merely a ceasefire.
Before departing Anchorage, Trump stated that a meeting between President Putin and President Zelenskyy would be organized with attendance from both leaders, contingent on Ukraine’s agreement.
Trump emphasized the urgent need to end the conflict: ‘It is a terrible war where he is losing a lot. And both of them are. And hopefully, it can be completed. That would be a great achievement for them.’ He pointed out that, ‘You save 7,000 lives a week—that’s a lot.’
However, President Putin has maintained his position against relinquishing annexed territories or endorsing Ukraine’s aspirations to join NATO and the European Union.
Yet, he suggested that Russia is willing to engage in discussions regarding unspecified security guarantees for Ukraine.
Speaking through an interpreter, Putin highlighted the importance of Trump’s efforts to mediate the Ukrainian conflict: ‘We see the striving of the administration and President Trump personally to help facilitate the resolution of the Ukrainian conflict.’
Putin remarked on the tragic state of affairs and claimed that Russia has always viewed Ukraine as a ‘brotherly nation,’ calling the current situation a ‘terrible wound.’
In his comments, Trump also expressed a desire for another meeting with Putin, leading to an unexpected suggestion from Putin for the next meeting to take place in Moscow.
Trump chuckled at the proposal, stating, ‘Ooh… that’s an interesting one. I don’t know, I’ll get a little heat on that one, but I can see it possibly happening. Thank you very much, Vladimir.’
European leaders from France, Italy, Germany, Britain, Finland, Poland, and officials from the European Commission and European Council welcomed Trump’s involvement but insisted that any further discussions must include President Zelenskyy.
In a joint statement, they affirmed, ‘As President Trump said, there’s no deal until there’s a deal.’
They emphasized that Ukraine must retain autonomy in making decisions regarding its territory, asserting that ‘Russia cannot have a veto against Ukraine’s pathway to EU and NATO’ and that no restrictions should be placed on Ukraine’s military or its cooperation with other countries.
As calls for peace negotiations intensify, the future of Ukraine’s relations with both Russia and Western powers hangs in the balance.
image source from：vaticannews
