Exclusive: Two key moments from Zelenskyy's talk with Trump
Photo: Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelenskyy (Getty Images)
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy, during a one-on-one meeting with US leader Donald Trump, focused primarily on two key issues — ones that could determine the end of the Russia-Ukraine war, according to a well-informed source.
It is said that bilateral talks with Trump centered on the potential organization of a future trilateral summit with Vladimir Putin, as well as on security guarantees for Ukraine.
"Our main goal is to have a trilateral meeting where we can discuss the core issues," the interlocutor added.
Trilateral meeting of leaders
From Ukraine's perspective, a summit in the Zelenskyy–Trump–Putin format could be decisive in bringing the war to an end. Zelenskyy has said that only in such a format — possibly with the involvement of European leaders — could genuine peace talks take place.
Today, Zelenskyy reiterated his message:
"Territorial issues will be discussed at the leaders' level during a trilateral meeting. And Trump will be trying to arrange such a meeting," he said.
Trump, for his part, emphasized that the outcome of today's White House meetings will determine whether a summit with Putin is possible at all. The Russian leader himself has so far made no clear statements about talks with Zelenskyy, instead challenging his legitimacy as president under absurd pretexts.
Earlier, Trump also stated that after meeting with Zelenskyy and European leaders, he would call Putin — and that the possibility of organizing a trilateral summit would likely be raised.
According to leaks in Western media, the US president is pushing to hold the summit as early as August 22. Potential venues being considered include the Vatican, Geneva, and several European capitals.
