Trump initiates meeting Zelensky - Putin: what is known about the Kremlin's plans.

Plans for a three-way meeting of Ukrainian, Russian, and American leaders The prospect of a three-way meeting at the level of leaders of Ukraine, Russia, and the USA has become more real. However, Russia may be concealing its other plans. The goal of the Kremlin is to prolong the war, as the aggressor is advancing at a pace that satisfies the occupiers. This conclusion was shared on the FREEДОМ television channel today, August 19, by analyst of the Council for Foreign Policy 'Ukrainian Prism' Yevhen Kostohryzov. If preparations for a three-way summit are underway, then it may only be at the level of determining the location and possible agenda. However, not at the level of specific agreements regarding dates, believes the analyst. "Since, if the Russian side has stated, at least President Zelensky conveyed this information, that it would like to see a bilateral format of negotiations between Ukraine and Russia first, then I think it is unlikely that they would immediately agree on holding two meetings. That is, it is unlikely we would see a situation where the location and time of the bilateral meeting were discussed immediately, along with the trilateral meeting," said Kostohryzov. It seems that Russia will now discuss the organization of negotiations with Ukrainian President Zelensky. And only after that, based on the results, if the Russian side considers it advantageous, we can talk about a three-way meeting, the analyst predicted. "I would not rush to conclusions. I believe that the prospect of a three-way meeting of Ukraine - the USA - Russia has become much greater, it is much more likely now than it was a month ago, but it is still not absolute," the speaker emphasized. Kostohryzov is convinced that the Kremlin's goal, as before, is to prolong the conflict. "Russia needs this because it believes that it is currently advancing on the front at a pace that suits it. That is, the Russian Federation does not seek to end hostilities as quickly as possible and, accordingly, wants to prolong negotiations," the guest of the program emphasized. He does not rule out that a meeting between Ukraine and Russia may occur first, but not at the leaders' level, rather like negotiations in Istanbul, only at the level of a conditional Belyusov, the Minister of Defense, or Foreign Minister Lavrov. "That is, such options are possible as well. After that, within a few weeks, a meeting between Zelensky and Putin may be approved, and then, if the Russian side does not oppose, a trilateral meeting of Zelensky, Putin, and Trump may be organized. I see it this way now, but again, this scenario may be influenced by the American side. Depending on how strongly the Americans are willing to continue threatening sanctions. But for now, it does not seem that the American side is very ready to implement its threats. This indicates that, apparently, Russia will not rush to organize the meeting," the analyst noted. In his opinion, the most likely scenario is prolongation of the process by the Russian Federation and that these meetings will take place, but not as quickly as has been observed in recent days. Recall that after meeting with President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky and European leaders on August 18, President Donald Trump called the Russian dictator. He reported that he is working on organizing a meeting between Zelensky and Putin. After gathering evidence, analysis, and consultations, the analyst concludes that Russia may not hurry with the meeting in a three-way format, as it is advantageous for her to prolong the conflict and negotiations on her terms.