Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has proposed a three-way summit with U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin to push for an end to Russia’s three-year invasion of Ukraine, which began in February 2022. Speaking to journalists on Tuesday, May 27, 2025, Zelensky expressed flexibility, stating, “If Putin is not comfortable with a bilateral meeting, or if everyone wants it to be a trilateral meeting, I don’t mind. I am ready for any format,” according to comments published on Wednesday, May 28, 2025. However, Putin rejected Zelensky’s earlier call for a face-to-face meeting in Turkey in mid-May, with the Kremlin insisting that any meeting requires a prior “agreement.” Trump has voiced frustration with both leaders for failing to reach a deal, while intensifying rhetoric against Putin, calling him “crazy” after a Russian barrage killed 13 Ukrainians and warning on Truth Social that Putin is “playing with fire.”
Zelensky urged the U.S. to impose stringent sanctions on Russia’s banking and energy sectors, noting Trump’s assurance that sanctions would follow if Russia does not halt its aggression. “We discussed two main aspects with him — energy and the banking system,” Zelensky said, expressing hope for U.S. action after previous frustration over Washington’s delay in announcing new sanctions following Russia’s rejection of a Western-backed 30-day ceasefire proposal. The European Union and UK have already imposed fresh sanctions targeting Russia’s shadow fleet, energy exports, and financial institutions, but Trump has backed away from joining this pressure campaign, advocating instead for direct Ukraine-Russia negotiations.
The conflict has escalated with massive aerial attacks. Ukraine launched nearly 300 drones on Russia overnight, one of its largest barrages, causing minimal damage but disrupting Moscow’s three major airports, according to Russian officials. Russia, in turn, deployed over 900 drones against Ukraine in the three days ending May 26, 2025, killing 13 civilians, including three children, in Sunday’s attacks. Zelensky reported Russia amassing 50,000 troops near Ukraine’s Sumy region, aiming to create a “buffer zone,” while Russia controls about 20% of Ukrainian territory, including Crimea, annexed in 2014. Despite first direct talks in Istanbul on May 16, 2025, which yielded a 1,000-for-1,000 prisoner swap, no ceasefire progress has been made, with Ukraine accusing Russia of stalling and Zelensky noting the absence of a promised Russian “memorandum” on peace terms.
Zelensky’s push for a summit comes amid strained U.S.-Ukraine relations, highlighted by a tense February 2025 Oval Office meeting with Trump, who has shifted from promising a 24-hour peace deal to urging both sides to negotiate independently. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov announced on May 28 that details for a second round of talks would be forthcoming, but Moscow insists on addressing “root causes,” including claims that Ukraine is historically Russian territory. Zelensky, set to meet German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on May 28, continues to demand a full ceasefire and stronger sanctions, rejecting Russian ultimatums on territory or NATO aspirations. Posts on X reflect Zelensky’s firm stance against withdrawing troops or ceding land, underscoring Ukraine’s resolve as diplomatic efforts falter.
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