No Planned Meeting Between Putin and Zelensky Despite Trump's Push for Summit, Says Lavrov
In the wake of heightened expectations for a swift summit between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has stated that no such meeting is currently planned. This comes amidst US President Donald Trump's push for an imminent summit, which now appears to be faltering.
Background and Context
President Trump had raised expectations for a swift summit after receiving President Zelensky with European allies in the White House. However, Lavrov's statement, indicating a lack of any planned bilateral meeting, has thrown a wrench into these expectations. According to Lavrov, the Russian president will only be ready to meet with Zelensky once an agenda for the summit is prepared.
Key Developments
Lavrov has attributed the lack of a planned meeting to Zelensky's reluctance to compromise, saying, how can we meet with a person who is pretending to be a leader?
. The diplomat further accused the Ukrainian President of saying 'no to everything'. This statement was made during an NBC News interview on August 22.
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump stated that while he would see if he needed to be present at a potential Putin-Zelensky meeting, he would prefer not to attend. He also did not rule out the possibility that the meeting may fail to yield results, saying, it takes two to tango
.
Implications and Reactions
This development has led to increased diplomatic tension between Russia and Ukraine. During a visit to Kyiv, NATO chief Mark Rutte discussed security guarantees for Ukraine, as US mediation efforts appeared to stumble. The American president's comparison of Putin and Zelensky to 'oil and vinegar' has also sparked reactions, with it being seen as a reflection of the complex dynamics between the two leaders.
Current Status
Despite Trump's push for a peace deal, the Kremlin maintains that a Putin-Zelensky meeting is 'not ready at all'. Lavrov's assertion that the agenda for such a summit is 'not ready at all' further underscores this stance. With no clear indication of when or if a meeting between Putin and Zelensky will occur, the international community waits with bated breath for the next development in this diplomatic standoff.