Zelensky Calls for Summit with Trump and Putin as Kremlin Demands Concrete Preconditions

As the war in Ukraine enters its fourth year, President Volodymyr Zelensky has proposed a trilateral summit with Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin, aiming to revive stalled peace talks. The Kremlin quickly responded, stating that such a meeting would only be possible following “concrete agreements” between the Russian and Ukrainian delegations.

“If a bilateral meeting with Putin is problematic, I’m open to a trilateral format. The format doesn’t matter—what matters is progress,” Zelensky said during a press conference held in Kyiv on Tuesday, May 27, embargoed until the following morning.

Peace Still a Distant Prospect

Moscow remains cautious. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stressed that no such summit could take place without a clear and substantial diplomatic foundation between the two sides. No timeline or detailed proposal has been presented so far.

Meanwhile, tensions on the ground are escalating. Russia recently endured one of the largest Ukrainian drone strikes since the invasion began, disrupting air traffic in Moscow. In retaliation, large-scale Russian bombardments have struck several Ukrainian cities, killing at least 13 people.

Pressure on the U.S. and Fears of a New Offensive

Zelensky used the occasion to call on the United States to tighten sanctions on Moscow, specifically targeting Russia’s energy sector and banking system. He criticized the Kremlin’s refusal to accept an unconditional, immediate ceasefire—a proposal backed by Kyiv.

The Ukrainian leader also noted that Russia has yet to deliver the “memorandum” it mentioned last week, which is reportedly meant to outline Moscow’s conditions for a potential peace agreement. According to Russian diplomats, the document will only be transmitted after the completion of a recent prisoner exchange.

Zelensky also warned of a possible new Russian offensive in the northeastern Sumy region, where he claims more than 50,000 Russian troops are currently stationed. Moscow has cited the need to create a “buffer zone,” while Ukraine suspects preparations for a cross-border assault.