Negotiations Between Zelenskyy and Trump Highlight Security Concerns
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is keen to learn about potential security guarantees that could form part of a future agreement, according to a Ukrainian official familiar with the ongoing negotiations, reports 24brussels.
“We will not recognize the occupation. The situation regarding compromises is broader, but we will not withdraw our troops,” stated an anonymous Ukrainian official privy to the discussions. “We will find out what details of possible security guarantees and whether Trump seriously pressured Putin into a trilateral format where everything can really be discussed.”
Following their meeting, President Vladimir Putin and former President Donald Trump remained vague about their discussions. A White House official indicated that while Putin did not consent to specific security guarantees for Ukraine, he acknowledged that “security guarantees have to be on the table for the Ukrainians.”
Zelenskyy and Trump are scheduled to meet in the Oval Office at 1 p.m. Eastern time. The initial segment of their meeting will be open to select reporters and broadcast live on television, similar to Zelenskyy’s previous visit in February.
A subsequent meeting, which will include European leaders, is set for around 3 p.m. in the East Room. Attendees will comprise British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Finnish President Alexander Stubb, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
The participation of these leaders as mediators underscores the shift in dynamics between Trump and European allies nearly six months after the infamous controversy involving Zelenskyy. Despite Zelenskyy’s efforts to mend ties with Trump and European leaders’ attempts to align him more closely with their perspectives on Ukraine, Trump’s recent remarks illustrate his ongoing inclination to act as a dealmaker, susceptible to Putin’s influence.
An anonymous Ukrainian official expressed concern regarding Trump’s willingness to entertain Putin’s suggestion that Ukraine relinquish more territory to facilitate an end to the conflict, indicating a misunderstanding of the battlefield situation, which is not as skewed as Trump may believe.
Given these developments, the official expressed skepticism about the likelihood of any significant outcomes from Monday’s discussions: “We should expect another clusterfuck meeting in the Oval Office,” they said.
