President Volodymyr Zelensky, together with the Ukrainian team, has intensified diplomatic efforts to influence the position of U.S. President Donald Trump ahead of his meeting with Russian dictator Vladimir Putin. According to Axios, the Ukrainian leader is downplaying the significance of Russia’s recent successes and is holding talks with European and global leaders to avoid unfavorable decisions at the summit in Alaska.
Source: “Espresso“
There are concerns that during the August 15 meeting, Trump may make concessions to Putin regarding the war in Ukraine. U.S. officials explain that sometimes his rhetoric sounds pro-Russian, as this may be a tactic to reach an agreement. A source in the administration assures that Trump is actually “angry at Putin” and, if forced to choose a side, would strike at the Russian economy.
Despite possible diplomatic risks, the U.S., even in the event of failed negotiations, plans to continue supplying weapons to NATO allies for Ukraine.
Meanwhile, Moscow states that its demands have not changed: guarantees of Ukraine not joining NATO and recognition of the occupation of Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, Kherson, and Crimea. This was announced on August 13 by Russian Foreign Ministry deputy spokesman Alexey Fadeyev, as cited by Reuters.
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