Zelenskyy, European Leaders Coordinate Ukraine War Peace Talks

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has emphasized that the responsibility to end the war lies with Russia, calling for Russia to agree to a ceasefire and real diplomacy while affirming Ukraine’s firm support from its partners. Zelensky has been actively engaging with European leaders, including German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, and others, to coordinate efforts toward a dignified peace that will secure Europe's future. Discussions are ongoing about potential formats for peace talks involving two bilateral and one trilateral meeting, with Zelensky expressing openness to negotiations and urging Russia to take a bold approach, although Russia has so far rejected trilateral talks and insists on preconditions such as territorial concessions and questions Zelensky’s legitimacy. Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump is scheduled to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin soon, with speculation about a possible trilateral meeting including Zelensky, although Moscow currently prefers a bilateral Putin-Trump meeting. Despite these diplomatic efforts, Moscow maintains that a meeting between Putin and Zelensky would only occur at a final stage of negotiations when terms are agreed upon, which Ukraine currently resists due to sovereignty concerns. The situation remains fluid, with Ukraine seeking to ensure its position is not sidelined amid these high-level diplomatic engagements.