Putin Rejects Meeting Zelensky Amid Peace Talks

While U.S. President Donald Trump has initiated arrangements for a potential meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to help end the ongoing war, Putin has yet to commit to such talks. The two leaders last met in person in 2019 during the Normandy Format summit in Paris, which aimed to resolve conflict in Ukraine's Donbas region but ultimately failed to achieve a lasting ceasefire. Kremlin officials, including adviser Yuriy Ushakov and Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, have offered ambiguous statements, suggesting that a high-level meeting would require careful preparation, and some analysts believe Putin is hesitant to meet Zelenskyy as it would imply recognition of him as Ukraine's legitimate leader. Experts argue that an objective neutral venue would be necessary for negotiations, with Geneva, the Vatican, or Helsinki suggested over locations like Budapest. Continued pressure through sanctions and coordinated diplomatic efforts, particularly from European leaders, are seen as crucial to encouraging Russia to engage in meaningful dialogue. Overall, despite Trump's efforts, significant obstacles remain before a direct summit between Putin and Zelenskyy can take place.