In brief
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has indicated he would be ready to participate in a summit with Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin in Hungary if invited. This comes after a tumultuous meeting in the White House, where Trump's demands for Ukraine to consider Russia's terms led to tensions. Zelensky aims for a just peace amidst ongoing concerns about the outcome of the proposed talks, criticizing Hungary's role in the discussions. Meanwhile, the dynamics of the Trump-Zelensky meeting showcased major disagreements, underscoring the complexities of diplomacy over the ongoing war in Ukraine.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said he would be ready to join Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin at a proposed summit in Hungary if he were invited.
The US and Russian presidents announced after their phone call that they planned to hold talks on the war in Ukraine in Budapest, possibly in the coming weeks.
On Monday, Zelensky told reporters: 'If it is an invitation in a format where we meet as three or, as it's called, shuttle diplomacy... then in one format or another, we will agree.'
Meanwhile, media reports suggest his White House meeting with Trump descended into a shouting match - with the US side urging Ukraine to accept Russia's terms to end the war.
Zelensky described the meeting as frank, noting that his main aim was a just peace, not a quick resolution. He criticized Hungary as the proposed location for the Trump-Putin talks, emphasizing that Prime Minister Viktor Orban could not contribute positively for Ukrainians.
Trump indicated he wanted to make the meeting comfortable for everyone, hinting that it could involve a separated approach between the three leaders.
Amidst the diplomatic landscape, Zelensky's hopes for securing US Tomahawk missiles went unmet, as Trump’s responses were non-committal. The dynamics of their interaction reveal significant tensions, with reports of Trump suggesting Ukraine might need to surrender territory.
