Trump invites European leaders to meet with Zelenskyy, media reports
Photo: US President Donald Trump (Getty Images)
US President Donald Trump has invited European leaders to join a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the White House on August 18, The New York Times reports.
After the summit in Alaska, where Trump met with Russian leader Vladimir Putin, Trump unexpectedly changed his position on both Ukraine and Europe. US President now supports a reconciliation plan by transferring to Russia the non-occupied areas of Ukraine’s Donbas.
“Mr Trump will discuss that plan with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine on Monday at the White House, and European leaders are invited to come along,” the media outlet notes, citing its own sources.
At the same time, The New York Times explains that European leaders and Zelenskyy strongly oppose such an initiative by Trump. First, these territories contain important resources and are also well-fortified.
Second, Ukrainian officials state that any agreement with Russia cannot include Kyiv’s consent to give up any of its sovereign territory, since that would violate the Constitution.
According to the media outlet, Trump wants to persuade Zelenskyy to accept the deal proposed by Russian President Vladimir Putin. This refers to the withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from Donbas in exchange for a “peace deal.” At the same time, Putin is allegedly ready to “freeze” the frontline in southern Ukraine and give a written promise never to attack Ukraine again.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced on the afternoon of August 16 that on Monday, August 18, he will travel to Washington to discuss details of ending the war. There, he will hold a meeting with Trump.
