What’s next for Ukraine-Russia peace talks? 5 questions to ask heading into a potential trilateral

illuminem summarises for you the essential news of the day. Read the full piece on POLITICO or enjoy below:

🗞️ Driving the news: President Donald Trump announced plans to convene a trilateral peace summit between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin in a renewed push to negotiate an end to the ongoing war
• The summit — tentatively set for Budapest — would follow bilateral meetings and comes amid lingering gaps between the leaders’ demands, particularly on territorial sovereignty and security guarantees

🔭 The context: This marks Trump’s most direct attempt to broker peace in Ukraine since retaking office in January 2025
• Previous efforts at high-level negotiations were derailed by Putin’s refusals to meet directly with Zelenskyy and continued Russian aggression
• While European allies remain cautious, they are participating in ongoing consultations
• Trump’s past vacillations between support for Ukraine and alignment with Putin cast uncertainty over the talks’ durability

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: Ending the war in Ukraine would have significant implications for global energy markets, food security, and climate diplomacy, particularly in Eastern Europe
• The conflict has diverted attention and resources from sustainable development initiatives and damaged Ukraine’s environmental infrastructure
• A credible peace process could unlock investment in green reconstruction and help stabilize a key region for Europe’s energy transition

⏭️ What's next: Plans for the trilateral summit remain provisional
• The U.S. Secret Service is preparing for a possible meeting in Budapest, with Switzerland and Moscow also under consideration
• The sticking points are formidable: Putin continues to demand territorial concessions, while Zelenskyy refuses to negotiate away Ukrainian sovereignty
• Trump’s unpredictable positioning adds further volatility
• Progress will hinge on whether both parties agree to preconditions — and if the U.S. remains consistent in its role as mediator

💬 One quote: “We are not trading land for peace,” said President Zelenskyy following Monday’s White House meetings. “Ukraine’s borders are not negotiable”

📈 One stat: Over 6 million Ukrainians remain displaced as of mid-2025, according to UNHCR, underscoring the urgent humanitarian need for a durable peace settlement

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