Zelensky says he is ready to meet Putin after Trump calls Russian leader

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🗞️ Driving the news: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced his readiness to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin following a 40-minute phone call between Putin and US President Donald Trump
• The announcement came after a high-level summit at the White House involving Zelensky, Trump, and European leaders, including France’s Emmanuel Macron, the UK’s Keir Starmer, and Germany’s Friedrich Merz
• Trump proposed a framework for peace without requiring a ceasefire, while security guarantees for Ukraine emerged as a central topic, to be provided by Europe with US coordination

🔭 The context: The White House meeting marks the most direct international diplomatic push on the Ukraine war in over a year
• While previous US policy under President Biden focused on sustained military aid, Trump is shifting toward high-level negotiations
• European leaders, while broadly supportive, expressed concern over bypassing calls for a ceasefire
• The summit also comes amid mounting pressure over Russia’s alleged war crimes, including the abduction of Ukrainian children, and China’s growing role as an observer and stakeholder

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: Ending the war in Ukraine could ease global energy instability, reduce defense-related emissions, and revive international focus on climate cooperation
• However, the terms of any agreement — especially territorial concessions — could set precedents in international conflict resolution
• Moreover, ongoing geopolitical tensions with China, the largest buyer of Russian oil, remain tightly interlinked with global sustainability and trade agendas

⏭️ What's next: A potential trilateral meeting involving Trump, Zelensky, and Putin is under consideration, but the Kremlin has not formally agreed
• European Council leaders will hold a virtual debrief tomorrow to discuss outcomes and strategy
• Negotiations continue on a proposed security guarantee for Ukraine, with countries working toward an enforceable framework post-conflict
• The next critical steps include determining the scope of territorial concessions and balancing peace efforts with justice for wartime atrocities

💬 One quote: “It’s not easy and maybe it’s not even fair, but it’s what it takes to end a war,” — US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, emphasizing the need for concessions on both sides

📈 One stat: As of August 2025, Russia is estimated to control around 70% of the Donetsk region, one of the key sticking points in peace negotiations

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