President Donald Trump stated on Monday that he is willing to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping to discuss ending the war in Ukraine, while sharply criticizing Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
A Proposed Summit Without Kyiv
The potential three-way meeting, which Vladimir Putin reportedly proposed, could take place next month on the sidelines of the APEC summit in China. The Kremlin confirmed through spokesman Dmitry Peskov that the subject of a hypothetical meeting was raised during recent talks, though Peskov maintained that no specific proposals or formal agendas had been put forward by any party.
The US is engaged in talks with Russia and China regarding nuclear disarmament, President Donald Trump has announced https://t.co/Z4m9vSAKMP pic.twitter.com/pidxvNzZsb
The prospect of a summit excluding Ukrainian leadership has drawn immediate pushback. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha argued on X that a trilateral meeting between Russia, China, and the United States would simply encourage Moscow to prolong the conflict. Meanwhile, Peskov acknowledged that a final peace settlement remains impossible without the participation of someone in Kyiv who is prepared to take responsibility.
Friction Over Sanctions and Energy Deals
Trump’s remarks on Monday accompanied a defense of his recent policy decisions regarding Russia, which invaded Ukraine in 2022. Trump pushed back against mounting bipartisan criticism after signing an executive order suspending certain sanctions and tariffs associated with legislation known as the “Graham Act,” alongside a separate move regarding diesel fuel.
U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright defended the suspension, explaining that the move was designed as an incentive for Moscow to reduce hostilities and alleviate global diesel shortages, rather than to rescue the Russian economy. However, Zelenskyy countered these assertions by displaying photographs from a Russian attack in the Kharkiv region that killed six people, including a mother and her 1-year-old child.
“This is how Russia responds to the lifting of sanctions and the easing of pressure,” Zelenskyy said.
Disrupted Communications and Intelligence Sharing
Tensions between Washington and Kyiv have deepened following reported disruptions to critical infrastructure. Zelenskyy says that Starlink and Starshield, the critical satellite services offered by Elon Musk’s SpaceX, caused the interruption. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent warned Zelenskyy to be “very careful about making statements like this that aren’t true.”
Amid the diplomatic standoff, Trump reiterated his frustration with the Ukrainian leader, claiming that Zelenskyy “doesn’t know what he’s talking about” and suggesting that it is time for somebody else to negotiate on behalf of Ukraine.
Related reading
- Severe Storm and Gale Warnings Hit Finnmark with Travel Cancellations
- Sports psychology specialist urges scientific systems in talent discovery
- Sheinbaum Reveals Trump Pressure on US Gas and Pemex Access (newsy-today.com)
- Services Supplied About Two-Thirds of China's 4.6% Nine-Month Growth (daybreakwire.com)
