Ukraine Seeks Swift Meeting Between Trump and Zelensky
Ukraine’s national security chief, Rustem Umerov, says Kyiv is pushing to arrange a visit by President Volodymyr Zelensky to the United States “at the earliest suitable date” this month.
The goal: finalize the evolving peace framework discussed in earlier talks in Geneva.
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| Ukraine Pushes for Urgent Trump–Zelensky Meeting as New Peace Deal Takes Shape |
US Response Still Unclear
The White House has yet to publicly confirm whether a Trump–Zelensky meeting will take place.
Meanwhile, senior US Army official Dan Driscoll has been holding conversations with Russian representatives in Abu Dhabi—though Moscow’s delegation remains unidentified.
“Common Understanding” Reached — But Details Still Sensitive
Umerov announced that Washington and Kyiv now share “a common understanding” on key elements of the proposed agreement.
A US official traveling with Driscoll suggested Ukraine had “largely agreed” to the deal, needing only minor adjustments.
However, Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized that top-level discussions are still required before finalizing anything.
A Peace Plan Caught Between Two Worlds
The distance between what Ukraine can accept and what Moscow demands remains enormous.
The Kremlin is unlikely to endorse a plan aligning with Kyiv’s core security needs.
European Allies Rewrite the Script
Leaders in Europe—particularly the UK, France, and Germany—criticized the initial US 28-point draft for being overly favorable to Russia.
Their revised proposals:
- ❌ No recognition of Russian-held territories
- 📈 Larger allowed size of Ukraine’s armed forces
- 🔓 No closure of NATO membership prospects
President Zelensky welcomed these updates, saying the new framework “finally looks achievable.”
Russia dismissed the amendments as “completely unconstructive.”
Moscow Awaits a New Draft — On Its Own Terms
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Moscow had not yet received the updated “interim” version. He insisted it must reflect the “spirit and letter” of Trump’s August Alaska talks with President Putin.
European Partners Coordinate Their Stand
A virtual meeting of Ukraine's European allies is underway, according to UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.
Zelensky said he held a “productive” call with Starmer to align strategies ahead of the session.
Escalating Violence Overshadows Diplomacy
Even as negotiations intensify, conflict on the ground continues at brutal levels.
Strikes Across Both Countries
- Ukraine reports 22 missiles and over 460 drones launched overnight, destroying two residential high-rises and killing at least six civilians.
- Russia claims to have intercepted 249 Ukrainian drones, with casualties reported in regions including Rostov.
Since February 2022, tens of thousands of soldiers and civilians have been killed, and millions displaced.
Trump Signals Cautious Optimism
Following the Geneva discussions, Trump suggested “something good may be happening,” though he warned people to “wait and see.”
Zelensky says the major obstacle remains Putin’s demand for legal recognition of all territories Russia currently occupies—including Donbas, Crimea, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia.
EU: No Return to ‘Business as Usual’ With Russia
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas insists any final peace plan must prevent future Russian aggression—and that Moscow must not rejoin the G8.
“We cannot simply go back to normal. How could anyone imagine that?” she told BBC Radio 4.