Zelenskyy to meet Trump on Monday after U.S.-Russia talks in Alaska end in no deal
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy plans to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump to discuss a trilateral conference involving Russia, emphasizing the need for high-level discussions to address the ongoing conflict and pursue peace.
The meeting follows Trump's recent discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin, where expectations for resolving the conflict were set low, but both leaders acknowledged the importance of continuing dialogue with Zelenskyy.
European leaders expressed their support for Ukraine's position on territorial integrity, stating that any decisions regarding Ukrainian territories should be made by its leadership, and reaffirmed the need for security assurances for Ukraine's sovereignty.
Positive sentiments regarding potential negotiations between Russia and Ukraine boosted Wall Street, illustrating the connection between political developments and market performance.
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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced on Saturday that he will meet with U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday, expressing support for a trilateral conference involving Trump, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and himself.
Zelenskyy’s statement follows a recent meeting between Trump and Putin in Alaska, which Trump characterized as "very productive," despite the absence of any agreements aimed at concluding a conflict that has persisted for nearly three and a half years.
"Ukraine reaffirms its commitment to exert every effort in pursuit of peace. President Trump briefed me on his meeting with President Putin and discussed the key points of their dialogue. It is crucial for America’s influence to shape the unfolding situation," Zelenskyy shared on X (formerly Twitter).
He emphasized, "We endorse President Trump’s initiative to convene a trilateral meeting with the United States and Russia. Ukraine asserts that significant issues are best addressed at the leadership level, making this trilateral format appropriate."
Looking ahead, Zelenskyy stated, "On Monday, I will meet with President Trump in Washington, D.C., to discuss the intricacies of terminating the ongoing violence and war. I appreciate the invitation."
Before heading to Alaska, Trump had minimized expectations regarding a resolution to the conflict, indicating that the more consequential meeting would be with Zelenskyy.
"As President Trump mentioned, 'there's no deal until there's a deal.' The next step, as envisioned by him, must entail further discussions with President Zelenskyy, whom he is set to meet soon. We are also prepared to collaborate with both President Trump and President Zelenskyy to arrange a trilateral summit, with support from European leaders," a joint statement from leading European figures—including European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, French President Emmanuel Macron, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Finnish President Alexander Stubb, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, and European Council President António Costa—declared on Friday.
Earlier media reports suggested that a potential agreement to end the war could involve territorial exchanges or solidifying Russia’s control of regions it currently occupies, a notion Zelenskyy has firmly rejected.
"The stance is clear: Ukraine requires robust security assurances to safeguard its sovereignty and territorial integrity," the European leaders articulated. "Decisions regarding Ukrainian territory rest solely with its leadership. International borders must not be altered through force," they asserted.
The prospect of advancing negotiations between Russia and Ukraine positively influenced Wall Street, contributing to solid gains on Friday. Meanwhile, WTI crude oil futures concluded the week down by 0.3%.
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