President Donald Trump has announced that US, Russian, and Ukrainian officials will meet at a security conference in Munich on Friday to discuss potential solutions to end the ongoing war in Ukraine.
Trump mentioned that “Russia is going to be there with our people” and confirmed Ukraine’s invitation, though he was unsure about the specific participants from each country. High-level representatives from the US, Russia, and Ukraine are expected to attend.
However, Russia, which is not officially attending the annual forum in Germany, did not offer a comment on the meeting. A senior Ukrainian official also stated that “talks with Russians in Munich” were “not expected.”
Trump’s announcement followed a phone call with both Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Trump described the discussions as “great” and expressed optimism about the possibility of ending the war. However, he also stated that it was “unlikely” Ukraine could return to its pre-2014 borders and that joining NATO was “not practical.”
Ukrainian President Zelensky, who admitted it was “not very pleasing” that Trump spoke to Putin before him, made it clear that Ukraine would not accept any peace deal involving the US and Russia without Kyiv’s participation. Zelensky stressed the importance of “security guarantees” and noted that European allies must be involved in the negotiations.
French President Emmanuel Macron and EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas both expressed concerns about any peace deal that could result in a “capitulation,” with Macron stating that only Zelensky could negotiate on Ukraine’s behalf.
In Munich, Zelensky’s primary goal in his meeting with US Vice President JD Vance appears to be securing continued US support for Ukraine and ensuring Ukraine’s role in peace talks. However, the US position remains uncertain. Vance may need to reassure Zelensky that Ukraine will be involved in future negotiations, but the US may also suggest that Ukraine will have to make territorial concessions for peace.
This may be a tough reality for Zelensky, as continued US military aid to Ukraine appears less likely, with little interest from Trump or Congressional Republicans in maintaining support.
The war began after Russia annexed Crimea and supported separatists in eastern Ukraine following the 2014 overthrow of Ukraine’s pro-Russian president. The conflict escalated into full-scale war nearly three years ago, with Russian forces controlling parts of eastern and southern Ukraine. Despite Ukrainian resistance, both sides have suffered heavy casualties, and millions of civilians have been displaced.
Key Points:
- Trump announced a meeting between US, Russian, and Ukrainian officials in Munich to discuss the war in Ukraine.
- Zelensky stressed that Ukraine must be involved in any peace deal and rejected any agreement without its participation.
- The US position on NATO membership and territorial concessions for Ukraine remains unclear.
- The ongoing war has led to significant casualties, with both sides suffering heavy losses.
While talks may offer hope for an end to the war, significant challenges remain. Ukraine’s involvement in the negotiations is critical, and territorial concessions may be a tough pill to swallow. The future of US support for Ukraine is uncertain, and the broader international response will play a key role in shaping any potential resolution.