Zelenskyy Open to Three-Way Summit with Trump and Putin Amid Rising Tensions in Ukraine

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has expressed his willingness to join an upcoming summit in Hungary with Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump, should he receive an invitation. The summit is anticipated to take place in the coming weeks as Trump aims to negotiate a peace deal to resolve the ongoing conflict, which has persisted for over three years. In his comments released on Monday, Zelenskyy indicated, "If I am invited to Budapest—if it is in a format where we meet as three—or what is called shuttle diplomacy, where President Trump meets with Putin and then with me, in one format or another we will agree." However, Zelenskyy criticized Hungary's suitability as the host, given its fraught relationship with Ukraine and its reputation as the most Kremlin-friendly member of the European Union. He remarked, "I do not believe that a prime minister who blocks Ukraine everywhere can do anything positive for Ukrainians or even provide a balanced contribution," referring specifically to Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. The dynamics of the situation have further intensified following Trump's controversial statement suggesting that a resolution to the war in Ukraine could involve ceding the Donbas region to Russia. During a press meeting, he remarked, "Let it be cut the way it is," suggesting negotiations could occur in the future. The comments seem to reflect pressure on Zelenskyy during their recent meeting at the White House, where it was reported that Trump urged him to relinquish substantial territories. The European Union's foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, expressed her disapproval of Putin potentially traveling to an EU member state for negotiations related to the war. Prior to a meeting of European foreign ministers in Luxembourg, Kallas stated that while Trump's initiative for peace is notable, it is equally crucial for Zelenskyy to directly meet with Putin. In terms of military preparedness, Ukraine is in the process of finalizing a contract for the acquisition of 25 Patriot air defense systems, a move Zelenskyy confirmed on Sunday. He noted that these systems would be delivered annually over the coming years, highlighting their importance in countering Russian ballistic missiles, which travel at many times the speed of sound. Zelenskyy is also seeking to prioritize contracts with some European nations to bolster Ukraine's defense capabilities. On the diplomatic front, Zelenskyy recently reached out to French President Emmanuel Macron, emphasizing the need to apply pressure on Russia—"Pressuring the one who started the war is key to a resolution," he wrote on social media platform X. They discussed ongoing diplomatic efforts and recent conversations with other partners in the region. In a separate incident, the renowned Louvre Museum in Paris remains closed for a second consecutive day following a daring theft of crown jewels valued at millions. French authorities are still in pursuit of four assailants who executed a well-coordinated heist during daylight hours, stealing eight historical jewelry pieces, including a necklace originally bestowed by Napoleon upon his wife. French Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin acknowledged failures in security that permitted such an audacious act, stating, "What is certain is that we have failed since people were able to park a furniture hoist in the middle of Paris and use it to steal priceless jewels." The robbery has marred France's image, causing widespread concern among its citizens. Related Sources: • Source 1 • Source 2