The issue of days is a summit – according to official announcements in Washington and Moscow, but the design stumbles on his desire to follow a trilateral meeting with his and refusing to meet the Ukrainian president if no specific terms are fulfilled.
“Unfortunately, we are far from the creation of these conditions for the time being,” the Russian president said. A White House source raised the tones, telling the New York Post that Trump would meet Putin only if he agrees to meet with Zelenski. But a few hours later (midnight Greek time), Trump on the one hand, said frustrated by Putin and on the other appeared not to link the bilateral to the trilateral meeting. Journalists asked Trump twice if it was a prerequisite for his meeting with the Russian president a Putin-Chalenski meeting. In both questions, Trump answered “no”, while saying he was ignorant of Putin’s statements.
Where and when the Putin meeting – Trump … only
Russian and US sources report that the summits could be held next week, although the date of the meeting is not set. Helling yesterday to the Kremlin, the United Arab Emirates leader, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed, Putin only talked about a planned meeting with Trump. “We have many friends who are willing to help us organize such meetings, one of them is the UAE president,” Putin said.
Presidential adviser Yuri Usakov argued that during the visit of Trump’s envoy, Steven Whitkov, to the Kremlin, the American side raised the issue of a tripartite, but Russian did not talk about the issue. “The Russian side has left this possibility,” Putin’s adviser added.
Usakov also spoke of some of the “brands” Putin sent to Trump for Ukraine, but refused to expand. According to the New York Times, the Russian president may have shown eager for “greater flexibility” in the territory. But Putin’s main motivation for a meeting with Trump is to show that he has borne the invasion, that he has won and that he remains an equal interlocutor, western analysts.
“Frustrations are the result of excessive expectations,” Putin had said 10 days ago, commenting on the dissatisfaction that Trump expressed on the barrage of Russian attacks in Kiev and other cities in Ukraine. Obviously, in the interval since then, the two “friends” have found a field of understanding, without it meaning that all the issues were resolved.
‘Draws’ for sanctions
Today it will be shown whether Trump intends to implement the new wave of sanctions immediately as he exhale his ultimatum to the Kremlin or postpone them. Last night, Trump kept his papers closed on the issue. But it would be paradoxical to continue preparing a summit, under new US sanctions. It is certain that the White House has the initiative of movements against European leaders, who necessarily have a waiting attitude.
The Zelenski factor
For his part, Zelenski said that various scenarios for talks were being examined, avoiding raising the tones and annoying Trump. “Ukraine is not afraid of meetings and expects the same brave approach from the Russian side. It’s time to finish the war. Thanks to all those who help, “Zelenski said.
In the meantime, the Russian army threatens two major Ukrainians with complete encirclement, the Pokovsk in the Donetsk region and the Kupansk in the district of Harcovo.
