Moscow, Aug 7 (AP) — Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed hope to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump next week, potentially in the United Arab Emirates.
This announcement comes just before a White House deadline for Russia to make significant strides in ending the three-year conflict in Ukraine.
According to Putin's foreign affairs adviser, Yuri Ushakov, a summit is tentatively planned for next week at an unspecified venue. Ushakov played down any possibility of Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy joining the talks, despite Trump's openness to the idea. Putin has previously dismissed Zelenskyy's offers of dialogue aimed at breaking the impasse in negotiations.
Ushakov emphasized that the priority is preparing a productive bilateral meeting between Putin and Trump, without specific discussions about including Ukraine's leader in the talks. Putin mentioned the meeting possibility following discussions at the Kremlin with UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
The White House has not commented on the meeting announcement, leaving its potential impact on Trump's looming deadline for Russia ambiguous. Putin noted that the meeting was mutually sought, regardless of who initiated it.
On Zelenskyy’s involvement in future talks, Putin indicated he is open under certain conditions. Kirill Dmitriev, head of Russia's sovereign wealth fund, highlighted that the meeting could offer Moscow a chance to outline its stance and discuss economic cooperation, possibly including joint investments in rare earth elements.
This meeting would mark the first U.S.-Russia summit since 2021, when President Joe Biden met with Putin in Geneva. It could serve as a pivotal moment in Trump’s efforts to halt the war, despite the significant differences between Moscow and Kyiv on peace conditions.
While next week is the intended timeframe for the summit, according to Ushakov, details, including the venue, remain unconfirmed.
U.S.-led efforts to resolve the conflict have stalled, with the war claiming tens of thousands of military lives on both sides and over 12,000 Ukrainian civilian fatalities, as per United Nations figures.
Western officials have accused Putin of using peace talks as a delay tactic, allowing Russian forces to seize more Ukrainian territory. Putin has consistently refused concessions, insisting on a resolution favorable to Russian terms.
A meeting between Trump and Putin on the matter would diverge from the Biden administration's “nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine” policy, a key requirement from Kyiv.
As he begins his second term, Trump's earlier conciliatory tone towards Putin has shifted. Despite initial admiration, Trump has grown critical of Putin's steadfast approach regarding U.S.-led peace endeavors, threatening new sanctions against Moscow.
Zelenskyy seeks European involvement
Zelenskyy announced plans to consult with European leaders, emphasizing the importance of their involvement in resolving the conflict occurring on their continent.
Expressing readiness for meetings, Zelenskyy encouraged a bold Russian response to end the war, highlighting ceasefire and security guarantees as negotiation priorities. He stressed that these crucial aspects must involve the U.S. and Europe for Ukraine's future protection.
He also noted ongoing Russian strikes on civilians despite Trump urging Putin to cease hostilities. A recent Russian assault in the Dnipro region resulted in four deaths and eight injuries.
Poll indicates waning support for continued conflict in Ukraine
According to a Gallup poll released Thursday, there is a growing preference among Ukrainians for a negotiated resolution to the war with Russia, reversing the earlier desire to fight until victory seen in 2022.
The survey revealed that only about a quarter of Ukrainians now favor continued fighting, with support for negotiation growing across all regions and demographics.
The poll, involving over 1,000 respondents aged 15 and older in Ukraine, excluded areas under firm Russian control, accounting for about 10% of the population, due to access issues post-2022.
Since the war escalated, Russia's relentless attacks on urban areas outside the front lines have claimed over 12,000 Ukrainian civilian lives, according to the United Nations.
Despite Russia gradually extending its control, a majority of Ukrainians now advocate for a swift negotiation. While Zelenskyy has renewed overtures for a meeting with Putin, these have been declined.
The poll indicates skepticism about the prospect of a near-term peace, with only a quarter of Ukrainians believing active fighting will cease within the next year, while about 70% think it's unlikely that the conflict will end within that time frame. (AP)
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