What's happened
Ukrainian President Zelensky and allies aim to establish security guarantees within 7-10 days amid ongoing fighting. Zelensky insists on a meeting with Putin only in a neutral European country, while Russia warns against deploying European troops. US diplomacy continues, with Trump advocating for peace negotiations and military support.
What's behind the headline?
The current diplomatic landscape reveals a cautious approach from all parties. Zelensky's insistence on security guarantees and a summit in a neutral European country underscores Ukraine's desire for tangible security assurances before engaging directly with Putin. Russia's warnings against European troop deployment and its demand for a veto in security arrangements highlight Moscow's intent to retain influence over Ukraine's future security architecture. Meanwhile, US President Trump’s involvement signals a shift from traditional Western policy, emphasizing bilateral negotiations and military support rather than direct confrontation. The divergence in positions suggests that a breakthrough remains unlikely in the immediate future. The potential for a summit hinges on Russia's willingness to compromise on troop deployments and security guarantees, which currently appears uncertain. The next few weeks will be critical in determining whether diplomatic efforts can bridge these gaps or if the conflict will persist with limited progress toward peace.
What the papers say
Al Jazeera reports that Lavrov emphasized Russia's stance that any peace process must include Moscow's veto power and warned against European troop deployment, framing these as non-negotiable. The Moscow Times highlights Zelensky's push for a clear security guarantees framework within a week, with UK and French-led efforts to form a military coalition. The New Arab notes Zelensky's rejection of a summit in Moscow and his preference for neutral European venues like Switzerland or Austria, while also reporting Ukraine's successful test of a long-range cruise missile. The Guardian and South China Morning Post detail US President Trump's diplomatic efforts, including meetings with Zelensky, Putin, and European leaders, and his belief that peace could be achieved without a ceasefire. The Independent discusses the broader geopolitical implications, including Trump's push for a peacekeeping force and the potential for sanctions if Russia does not cooperate. Overall, the sources present a complex picture of cautious diplomacy, conflicting demands, and ongoing military tensions, with no immediate resolution in sight.
How we got here
The ongoing conflict began with Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, leading to a complex diplomatic stalemate. Western countries, led by the US, have supported Ukraine with military aid and sanctions against Russia. Recent diplomatic efforts aim to negotiate security guarantees for Ukraine, but disagreements over troop deployments and Russia's demands persist, complicating peace prospects.
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What Are Ukraine and Russia Doing to Seek Peace?
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Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin is a Russian politician and former intelligence officer who has served as President of Russia since 2012, previously holding the position from 1999 until 2008.
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Donald John Trump is an American politician, media personality, and businessman who served as the 45th president of the United States from 2017 to 2021.
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Ukraine is a country in Eastern Europe. It is the second-largest European country after Russia, which borders it to the east and northeast.
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Russia, or the Russian Federation, is a transcontinental country located in Eastern Europe and Northern Asia. Covering an area of 17,125,200 square kilometres, it is the largest country in the world by area, spanning more than one-eighth of the Earth's in
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Sir Keir Rodney Starmer KCB QC MP is a British politician and former lawyer who has served as Leader of the Labour Party and Leader of the Opposition since 2020. He has been Member of Parliament for Holborn and St Pancras since 2015.
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Volodymyr Oleksandrovych Zelenskyy is a Ukrainian politician, actor and comedian who is the 6th and current president of Ukraine, serving since May 2019.