Putin Conditions Prior Preparation for Meeting with Zelensky.. and the Political Solution Remains Elusive
August 29, 202510 ViewsRead Time: 3 minutes
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Despite ongoing American diplomatic efforts to stop the war in Ukraine, Moscow and Kyiv continue to exchange conditions that seem far apart, while battles on the ground continue unabated. In this context, the Kremlin reiterated its position that any meeting between the Russian and Ukrainian presidents must be preceded by careful preparation, indicating that the road to direct negotiations is still long.
The Kremlin's spokesperson, Dmitry Peskov, reaffirmed the Russian stance that links any meeting between Presidents Putin and Zelensky to prior expert-level preparation. Peskov confirmed that Putin "does not rule out the possibility of such a meeting," but emphasized that "any high-level meeting must be well-prepared."
This position, which has been reiterated over the past months, is interpreted by some observers as an attempt to procrastinate on Moscow's part, especially amid the continued advance of Russian forces on the ground. Meanwhile, Moscow sees it as a traditional diplomatic approach that ensures no summit meeting takes place without prior guarantees.
Peskov's statements came following the meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and his Russian counterpart in Alaska in mid-August. Trump later expressed optimism about the possibility of a meeting between Putin and Zelensky, before the optimists retreated after U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff revealed American "disappointment" with the results of the meeting.
Notably, the Russian side categorically denied that the topic of the Russian-Ukrainian meeting was even discussed in the Alaska meeting, indicating a gap in narratives between Washington and Moscow.
The announced conditions from both sides remain significantly apart. Russia insists on Ukraine abandoning its NATO membership and conceding the disputed areas in eastern Ukraine, as well as removing any Ukrainian military threats or presence of Western forces. In contrast, Ukraine insists on full sovereignty over all its territory.
Amid ongoing fighting and rising human and material losses, it seems both sides believe that it is still too early to concede their fundamental conditions. While Russia continues its military operations in an attempt to control more territory, Ukraine relies on Western support to strengthen its negotiating position.
American efforts to achieve a ceasefire and hold a summit meeting appear to be governed by a difficult equation: how can contradictory conditions be reconciled at a time when the military balance of power is still decisive in determining the outcomes of any political negotiations?
Will the required preparation for the summit meeting be a bridge to reach a political solution, or merely a means to buy time and change the facts on the ground? The answer may lie more in the battlefields than in the offices of diplomats.
The Kremlin's spokesperson, Dmitry Peskov, reaffirmed the Russian stance that links any meeting between Presidents Putin and Zelensky to prior expert-level preparation. Peskov confirmed that Putin "does not rule out the possibility of such a meeting," but emphasized that "any high-level meeting must be well-prepared."
This position, which has been reiterated over the past months, is interpreted by some observers as an attempt to procrastinate on Moscow's part, especially amid the continued advance of Russian forces on the ground. Meanwhile, Moscow sees it as a traditional diplomatic approach that ensures no summit meeting takes place without prior guarantees.
Peskov's statements came following the meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and his Russian counterpart in Alaska in mid-August. Trump later expressed optimism about the possibility of a meeting between Putin and Zelensky, before the optimists retreated after U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff revealed American "disappointment" with the results of the meeting.
Notably, the Russian side categorically denied that the topic of the Russian-Ukrainian meeting was even discussed in the Alaska meeting, indicating a gap in narratives between Washington and Moscow.
The announced conditions from both sides remain significantly apart. Russia insists on Ukraine abandoning its NATO membership and conceding the disputed areas in eastern Ukraine, as well as removing any Ukrainian military threats or presence of Western forces. In contrast, Ukraine insists on full sovereignty over all its territory.
Amid ongoing fighting and rising human and material losses, it seems both sides believe that it is still too early to concede their fundamental conditions. While Russia continues its military operations in an attempt to control more territory, Ukraine relies on Western support to strengthen its negotiating position.
American efforts to achieve a ceasefire and hold a summit meeting appear to be governed by a difficult equation: how can contradictory conditions be reconciled at a time when the military balance of power is still decisive in determining the outcomes of any political negotiations?
Will the required preparation for the summit meeting be a bridge to reach a political solution, or merely a means to buy time and change the facts on the ground? The answer may lie more in the battlefields than in the offices of diplomats.
