**Russia Open to Zelensky, Putin, Trump Meeting if Progress Made at June 2 Peace Talks**
Russian President Vladimir Putin is willing to meet with his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky and U.S. President Donald Trump, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said on May 30. This comes as diplomatic efforts continue to schedule the next round of peace talks in Istanbul, which are tentatively proposed for June 2.
Peskov emphasized that a high-level summit would require concrete outcomes from the negotiations between the Russian and Ukrainian delegations. He stressed that President Putin is “fundamentally in favor” of meeting with Zelensky and Trump, but only if progress can be made at the Istanbul talks. This statement suggests that Russia is willing to engage in talks, but only if it sees tangible benefits.
**Turkey Offers to Host Meeting**
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan also offered to host a possible meeting among the three leaders, with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan participating as well. Fidan’s statement follows his visits to both Kyiv and Moscow, where he met with Ukrainian and Russian officials to discuss the peace process.
**Ukraine Insists on Ceasefire Memorandum**
Zelensky’s Chief of Staff Andriy Yermak stated that Ukraine is open to talks but insists that Russia share its proposed “ceasefire memorandum” ahead of the meeting. This indicates that Ukraine wants to see concrete proposals from Russia before committing to high-level talks.
**Russia Rebuffs Ceasefire Demands**
Moscow has rejected Kyiv’s repeated calls for a complete and unconditional ceasefire, despite mounting international pressure. Instead, Russia has intensified its aerial assaults across Ukraine and is reportedly preparing for a renewed summer offensive.
**Legitimacy of Zelensky in Question**
The Kremlin has repeatedly attacked Zelensky’s legitimacy as president, pointing out that his first presidential term was originally meant to end on May 20, 2024. However, constitutional lawyers argue that Ukraine’s constitution permits the extension of terms during martial law, which has been in effect since Russia’s full-scale invasion began in 2022.
**Trump’s Role in Brokering Peace**
U.S. President Donald Trump held a two-hour phone call with Putin on May 19 and is pushing to broker a ceasefire deal. Trump has backed the idea of a high-level summit, but it remains unclear how his involvement will impact the negotiations.
Read More @ kyivindependent.com
