Trump works to arrange summit between Putin and Zelenskyy

In the United States, President Donald Trump is actively seeking to organize a meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. This proposed summit is particularly significant as it would be the first in-person dialogue between the two leaders since the onset of the conflict initiated by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine over three years ago. The urgency to elevate discussions emerged following a series of high-level talks that occurred in Washington, where Trump met with Zelenskyy and various European leaders, all expressing a unified stance on solidifying security assurances for Ukraine in a potential peace framework. During his public comments, Trump expressed optimism about both leaders' willingness to engage diplomatically, suggesting that there had been signs of improved relations between Zelenskyy and Putin, which was previously unexpected. Ukrainian President Zelenskyy indicated his openness to trilateral talks, reinforcing the notion that he believes a diplomatic resolution could be within reach. Following these discussions, a German official stated that the meeting could potentially take place within the upcoming weeks, although a specific date remains unconfirmed. Regarding security guarantees, Secretary of State Marco Rubio assured continued U.S. cooperation with allies in providing support for Ukraine post-conflict. Trump mentioned that European leaders were receptive to contributing military presence and resources, particularly air support, to underline their commitment to Ukraine’s security going forward. This collective effort underscores the shifting diplomatic landscape amidst ongoing concerns regarding the ramifications of the war in Ukraine, highlighting the delicate balance of power and the multiple stakeholders involved in seeking a resolution to the crisis.