Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has proposed a trilateral meeting involving former U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin as part of renewed efforts to end Russia’s ongoing military offensive in Ukraine.
Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Zelensky expressed openness to various diplomatic formats to push for a ceasefire. “If a one-on-one meeting with Putin isn’t possible, I’m open to a three-way discussion. If Trump joins, I am ready for that too,” he said.
His comments follow Russia’s refusal to participate in bilateral talks proposed to be held in Turkey earlier this month. The Kremlin insists that any high-level meeting must be preceded by some form of preliminary agreement.
Zelensky also appealed to the United States to enforce new sanctions targeting Russia’s banking and energy sectors. He claimed Trump had previously indicated support for such measures if Moscow fails to halt its aggression. “We discussed the two critical sectors, energy and banking and I hope the U.S. will act soon,” the Ukrainian leader stated.
Tensions remain high on the ground. Overnight, Ukraine launched one of its most extensive drone strikes against Russia to date, with Moscow’s defence ministry reporting close to 300 drones targeting various locations. In retaliation, Russia has also intensified aerial bombardments, including recent attacks that killed 13 civilians, among them three children.
Former President Trump weighed in over the weekend, labeling Putin as “crazy” following the deadly barrage. He added on Tuesday via his Truth Social account, “If it weren’t for me, really bad things would have already happened to Russia… He’s playing with fire!”
Despite multiple rounds of diplomacy led by the U.S. and other Western allies, both Ukraine and Russia remain at odds. The war, now entering its third year since Russia’s invasion in February 2022, has devastated eastern and southern Ukraine. Moscow currently occupies approximately 20% of Ukraine, including Crimea, which it annexed in 2014.
Ukraine’s counter-offensive has struggled to reverse these gains, while Russia is reportedly building up more than 50,000 troops near the northeastern border region of Sumy. Zelensky warned that Russia aims to carve out a “buffer zone” along the border.
He also noted that Ukraine has yet to receive an official document outlining Russia’s conditions for a peace agreement, despite the resumption of negotiations earlier this month in Istanbul, the first direct talks in over three years.
Zelensky is expected to meet with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in Berlin on Wednesday, as Germany continues to express strong support for Ukraine’s resistance efforts. Meanwhile, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has hinted that details of a second round of peace talks will be revealed shortly.
