Russia has insisted that any deal on Ukraine must ensure its security interests and the rights of Russians in Ukraine, as Kyiv’s allies gather to discuss potential peace talks. The Russian Foreign Minister, Sergei Lavrov, emphasized that any meeting between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin “must be prepared very thoroughly”. This development comes after a meeting between Zelensky, European leaders, and US President Donald Trump in Washington, where Trump discussed security guarantees for Ukraine with Putin.
The meeting in Washington has raised hopes for a breakthrough in the conflict, with Trump stating that he had spoken with Putin and agreed on security guarantees for Ukraine. According to Trump, these guarantees would be provided by European countries in coordination with the United States. However, the details of the agreement remain unclear, and the situation on the ground continues to be dire. A recent Russian drone strike on an apartment block in Kharkiv killed seven people, including two children, just before Monday’s talks.
Zelensky has expressed optimism about the talks, calling them a “truly significant step toward ending the war and ensuring the security of Ukraine and our people”. However, Ukraine’s security concerns remain a major sticking point, with Lavrov emphasizing that Russia’s security interests must be respected. Ukraine’s NATO membership bid has been a contentious issue, with Russia vehemently opposed to Kyiv’s accession. Trump has ruled out Kyiv’s long-held dream of joining the NATO alliance as part of any potential deal.
European leaders have expressed concern about Moscow’s territorial ambitions, particularly after suggestions that Ukraine could be forced to concede parts of the embattled Donbas region still under its control. French President Emmanuel Macron hinted at Geneva as a possible location for peace talks, which would start after a virtual meeting of about 30 of Kyiv’s allies known as the “coalition of the willing”. The European leaders’ presence in Washington also underscored their nervousness about Trump’s stance on Ukraine, given his previous pivots towards Putin.
On the streets of Kyiv, there is skepticism about whether the latest talks can end the grinding conflict. Many believe that Putin is not interested in negotiating, with one resident saying, “The main problem is Putin himself doesn’t want it.” In contrast, some people in Moscow are more hopeful, with one resident saying, “I hope we can agree on mutually beneficial terms.”
The potential agreement between Ukraine and Russia includes security guarantees for Ukraine, with the US and European countries providing support. Ukraine has reportedly undertaken to buy $100 billion of US weapons financed by Europe in return for US guarantees for its security. Zelensky later spoke to reporters about a $90-billion package, saying Ukraine and its allies would formalize the terms of the security guarantees within 10 days.
Despite the optimism, significant challenges lie ahead. The presence of European leaders in Washington highlighted the uncertainty surrounding Trump’s commitment to Ukraine’s security. Trump’s summit with Putin last Friday failed to produce a ceasefire, and the situation on the ground remains dire. The road to peace talks will likely be long and arduous, with many obstacles to overcome before a lasting resolution can be reached.
A potential meeting between Zelensky and Putin could be a crucial step towards resolving the conflict. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said Putin had agreed to a bilateral meeting within the next two weeks. The international community is watching closely, hoping that these talks will bring an end to the conflict that has killed tens of thousands of people and displaced millions.
