Zelensky tells Trump that Putin is ‘bluffing’ and does not want peace ahead of crunch Ukraine summit
Zelensky’s warning as he is sidelined for Trump-Putin summit
- Volodymyr Zelensky has warned Donald Trump and European leaders that Vladimir Putin is “bluffing” about ending the war and rejected any territorial concessions without Ukraine's involvement, ahead of a crucial US-Russia summit.
- German Chancellor Friedrich Merz convened virtual meetings with Zelensky, Trump, and Emmanuel Macron to ensure European and Ukrainian interests are represented before the meeting in Alaska.
- Key principles conveyed to Trump included Ukraine's mandatory presence at future talks, a ceasefire preceding negotiations, and no recognition of Russian-occupied territories.
- A report suggested Russia and the US discussed using the Israeli occupation of the West Bank as a model for a future settlement, involving Russia seizing military and economic control of disputed Ukrainian regions.
- Sir Keir Starmer stated that a viable chance for a ceasefire exists, but stressed that international borders must not be changed by force and any peace deal requires a robust security guarantee for Ukraine.