After their meeting in Washington, US President Donald Trump and his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky expressed hope that the talks would lead to a trilateral format with the participation of Russian President Vladimir Putin, „Reuters“ reported, News.bg reports.
Late on Monday evening, Trump said on social networks that he had had a phone conversation with Putin and had begun preparations for a meeting between him and Zelensky, which would be followed by a trilateral one with his participation. According to European diplomatic sources, it was the Russian leader who suggested such a sequence.
Officially, the Kremlin has not yet confirmed its readiness for a meeting with Zelensky. However, a senior US administration official indicated to „Reuters“ that it could take place in Hungary. According to German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, such a meeting is possible within the next two weeks.
French President Emmanuel Macron insisted that the talks be held in Europe and suggested Geneva as a neutral location. "This is more than a hypothesis, this is a collective will," he said, recalling that the last bilateral talks between Moscow and Kiev took place in Istanbul.
In Washington, the leaders also discussed new guarantees for Ukraine's security. Macron announced that, together with Britain, a meeting of the "coalition of the willing" - 30 countries working on a package of measures for Kiev's security - would be convened on August 23. "We are starting concrete work with the Americans and our military to clarify who is ready to make what commitments," he added.
Regarding possible territorial concessions, Macron stressed that this is a matter of Ukraine's sovereign decision: "Ukraine will make those concessions that it considers fair and good." At the same time, he warned that a precedent should not be created in which a military force could change borders: "That would open Pandora's box."