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Trump, Donald

Ukraine Peace Deal Hinges on Trump-Putin-Zelensky Trilateral Meeting

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Vice President JD Vance and White House officials expressed openness to a trilateral meeting between US President Donald Trump, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to broker a peace deal to end the war in Ukraine. The meeting is scheduled for Friday in Alaska, with European leaders seeking to have a call with Trump before the meeting to share their views. Trump and Putin's meeting is seen as a victory for Putin, while Western analysts question the symbolism of the summit in Alaska, which was part of the Russian empire until the US purchased the territory in 1867.

Key Takeaways:

  • Vice President JD Vance stated that a trilateral meeting between Trump, Putin, and Zelensky is necessary to bring an end to the conflict in Ukraine, and that Trump needs to force Putin and Zelensky to sit down and figure out their differences.
  • Vance also emphasized that a ceasefire or reduction in hostilities is required before negotiations can begin, and that Russia is responsible for the war.
  • European leaders released a statement backing Ukraine's demand for a ceasefire or reduction in hostilities, and the EU ambassadors were briefed on the talks with Vance on Sunday, planning an emergency virtual meeting on Monday.
  • NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte expressed support for the meeting between Trump and Putin, stating that it is a chance to test Putin's commitment to ending the war.
  • U.S. NATO ambassador Matthew G. Whitaker stated that it is possible for Zelensky to attend the summit, but that ultimately the decision is up to Trump.
  • Oksana Markarova, Ukrainian ambassador to the US, emphasized that diplomacy requires different formats and meetings, and that Zelensky will be present at the meetings if necessary.
  • Russia continued its aerial bombardment on Sunday, hitting a central bus station in Ukraine, injuring 19 people, with Zelensky stating that there has not been a single real step by Russia toward peace.
  • Sen. Lindsey Graham expressed support for Trump's meeting with Putin, stating that he has confidence in Trump's ability to negotiate from a position of strength.
  • Sen. Mark Kelly expressed concern about the conditions of the meeting, stating that Putin is a war criminal and that the US should not allow him to negotiate with the President.

Statistics:

  • 19 people were injured in Russia's aerial bombardment of a central bus station in Ukraine on Sunday.
  • Three years have passed since Russia's invasion of Ukraine began.
  • The meeting between Trump and Putin will be the first time Putin has been invited to the US outside of the United Nations since 2007.
  • Friday's meeting will mark the first time Putin has traveled to the US since 2007.
  • 1867 is the year the US purchased Alaska from Russia.

Sources:

  • Fox News's "Sunday Morning Futures" (Vice President JD Vance)
  • White House officials (anonymous)
  • The U.K. talks with Vance (European leaders)
  • ABC's "This Week" (NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte)
  • CNN's "State of the Union" (U.S. NATO ambassador Matthew G. Whitaker)
  • CBS's "Face the Nation" (Oksana Markarova)
  • NBC's "Meet the Press" (Sen. Lindsey Graham)
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