Trump is ready to impose sanctions against the Russian Federation: what is known about the negotiations between Zelensky and Putin.

Peace advocates: participants of the diplomatic negotiations between Ukraine and Russia

If Moscow does not show interest in direct negotiations to end the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, US President Donald Trump has clearly stated that he is ready to impose new secondary sanctions against the Russian Federation. Brussels also confirmed its readiness to increase pressure on the aggressor. However, the Kremlin has not yet announced its willingness to hold a meeting between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Vladimir Putin.

Options for a meeting between Zelensky and Putin

Ukraine is ready for any formats of negotiations at the leaders' level, stated President Volodymyr Zelensky after a meeting with US President Donald Trump and European leaders in Washington. We are ready for a bilateral meeting, as well as a tripartite meeting with the participation of the head of the White House.

“The US President has contacted the Russian side, and they discussed possible diplomatic steps. Russia proposed initially a bilateral meeting between Ukraine and Russia, and then a tripartite meeting. We are ready for any formats at the leaders' level. Only at the leaders' level can we solve all these complex, painful issues. Therefore, I confirmed, and I was supported by all European leaders, that we are ready for a bilateral meeting with Putin,” said Zelensky.

However, the Kremlin has not yet publicly stated its readiness for a summit. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated that any contacts involving the first persons must be prepared thoroughly. And Putin's assistant for foreign policy Yuri Ushakov even stated that the possibility of raising the level of representatives from the Ukrainian and Russian sides could be considered. There is silence about Putin's participation in direct negotiations with Volodymyr Zelensky.

The possibility of a meeting between Zelensky and Putin in the assessment of experts

Is the Russian dictator Putin ready for a meeting with Volodymyr Zelensky? Where will the meeting take place? Why is the Russian Federation delaying negotiations, and what levers of pressure can be used? These questions were sought for answers on the FREEДOM television channel:

• Mykhailo Podolyak, advisor to the head of the Office of the President of Ukraine;
• Yevhen Kostohryzov, analyst of the Council on Foreign Policy “Ukrainian Prism”;
• Oleh Saakyan, political scientist and co-founder of the “National Platform for Resilience and Unity”;
• Igor Chalenko, political scientist and head of the Center for Analysis and Strategies;
• Igor Petrenko, Doctor of Political Science.

Putin does not want any ceasefire. Instead, he prefers to draw both the US and Ukraine into a long negotiation process about “comprehensive peace.” But we understand: if the phrase stands next to Russia, then peace will be as the Kremlin sees it, and certainly under a barrage of missile-drone strikes.

The Russian dictator wants long “peace negotiations” to start, but without a ceasefire. Otherwise, he has no subjectivity, no levers of influence on the process as all his arguments are meager, especially when viewed through the prism of international law.

If we talk about the negotiation process, the right format is possible only at the level of the President of Ukraine and Putin. Other formats are unacceptable; they do not solve tasks apart from, perhaps, the exchange of prisoners.

If Putin has indeed stated his willingness to participate in negotiations, he will do so. Zelensky is undoubtedly ready — both in terms of argumentation, logic, and evidence.

But the results of such a meeting are what matter. Putin will have one task — to tell his versions, to justify mass killings, and to buy time. The negotiations will not be productive immediately. But pressure on the Russian Federation can be exerted by China and the USA.