Trump meets Zelensky and European leaders ahead of summit with Putin
US President Donald Trump plans to meet with his Ukrainian counterpart, Volodymyr Zelensky, and European leaders on Wednesday, ahead of his upcoming summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin two days later.
This was confirmed by a White House official who requested anonymity, stated that Trump will assess the current situation with Zelensky and a number of European leaders, without naming any, before his summit with Putin.
Its noteworthy that President Trump will meet with Putin in Alaska on August 15.
Earlier, Trump expressed hope that his meeting with Putin would result in a ceasefire in Ukraine.
“I think my meeting with Putin will go well, but it could also go wrong,” he said.
In this regard the British newspaper, The Telegraph reported that Volodymyr Zelensky refuses to accept US President Donald Trump’s position on the issue of territorial echange to Moscow, which could complicate the US-Russian meeting in Alaska.
According to the newspaper, Zelensky’s refusal will have a negative impact on the prospects for negotiations in Anchorage, because concluding peace at Ukraine’s expense and exchanging territory is exactly what Trump is talking about.
Trump repeatedly signaled to Zelensky during a White House press conference that he planned to exchange territory as part of a future peace agreement.
As according to the newspaper, what Trump means remains a mystery to anyone.
The Telegraph emphasized that despite Zelensky’s denial of the reality, his administration recognizes that the territories already under Russian control cannot be returned.
Zelensky declared last Monday that he wouldn’t make territorial concessions, citing the Ukrainian constitution.
Trump had previously expressed dismay at Zelensky’s statement that he needed constitutional approval for the land swap.
The Alaska summit between Trump and Putin is scheduled for August 15, and the White House is seriously considering Zelensky’s invitation, with senior US officials describing it as under consideration and entirely possible.
