US Vice President Vance Reports Trump Plans Putin-Zelenskyy Talks

US Vice President JD Vance has emphasized that Americans are weary of funding the Ukraine war and believes European countries should take on a greater role in financing Ukraine's defense, while the US focuses on selling weapons rather than direct funding. Vance highlighted that President Donald Trump is working to facilitate talks aimed at ending the conflict, proposing a trilateral meeting involving Trump, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, as he does not consider a Putin-Zelenskyy meeting productive without US participation. Trump is scheduled to meet Putin in Alaska, with Zelenskyy potentially joining, signaling a diplomatic breakthrough despite Zelenskyy's firm stance against territorial concessions and Ukraine's constitutional integrity. Vance acknowledged that any negotiated settlement will likely leave both Russia and Ukraine dissatisfied but stressed the importance of dialogue to achieve peace. European leaders, including German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, have voiced opposition to decisions on territorial issues being made without European or Ukrainian input. The Trump administration aims for a settlement based on the current front lines, seeking to end the war while maintaining open communication with Kyiv and urging Europe to step up its involvement.