Zelensky Proposes 3-Way Meeting With Trump, Putin As US Rejects More Anti-Moscow Sanctions

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has sensationally called for a three-way peace summit with Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin in a bold new push to bring Russia’s three-year invasion to a halt

| Published May 29, 2025

Russia said Wednesday it wanted new talks with Ukraine in Istanbul next Monday to present its plan for a peace settlement, but Kyiv said it needed to see the proposal in advance for the meeting to yield results.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s recent proposal for a trilateral summit with U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin marks a significant diplomatic initiative aimed at resolving the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia. This proposal comes amidst escalating military tensions and complex geopolitical dynamics.

Zelenskyy’s Call for Trilateral Talks

On May 28, 2025, President Zelenskyy expressed his willingness to engage in a three-way meeting with Presidents Trump and Putin to seek a resolution to the war that has been ongoing for over three years. He emphasized his openness to any format that could facilitate peace, stating, “If Putin is not comfortable with a bilateral meeting, or if everyone wants it to be a trilateral meeting, I don’t mind. I am ready for any format” .

Zelenskyy also highlighted the importance of Ukraine’s inclusion in any negotiations, asserting that agreements made without Ukraine’s participation would be unacceptable. He stated, “We cannot accept it, as an independent country, any agreements (made) without us”.

‘If Putin is not comfortable with a bilateral meeting, or if everyone wants it to be a trilateral meeting, I don’t mind. I am ready for any format,’ Zelensky said

Trump’s Position on Sanctions and Diplomacy

President Trump has shown interest in facilitating peace talks but has been cautious about imposing additional sanctions on Russia. He remarked, “If I think I’m close to a deal, I don’t want to screw it up by doing that,” indicating a preference for diplomacy over immediate punitive measures .

However, Trump has also issued warnings to Putin, suggesting that failure to reach a ceasefire agreement within two weeks would result in the U.S. taking a different approach. He stated, “If Russia does not stop, sanctions will be imposed,” emphasizing the potential for increased pressure if diplomatic efforts fail.

The offer comes as tensions between Moscow and Washington spiral once again, with President Trump said to be growing increasingly exasperated at both Zelensky and Putin failing to broker a peace deal

International Responses and Concerns

The proposal for a trilateral summit has elicited mixed reactions internationally. European Union officials have expressed concerns about being excluded from negotiations, warning that any deal made without their involvement could be ineffective. EU top diplomat Kaja Kallas emphasized that no deal “behind our backs” would work and cautioned against appeasement towards Russia.

Additionally, reports have emerged that China has offered to host talks between Trump and Putin without Zelenskyy’s participation, raising further concerns about Ukraine’s role in the peace process.

Ongoing Military Escalations

Amid these diplomatic developments, military tensions continue to escalate. Ukraine has launched significant drone attacks on Russian facilities, including a microchip plant in Zelenograd and a drone manufacturing site in Dubna, in retaliation for Russian aerial bombardments that resulted in civilian casualties.

In response, Russia has intensified its military operations, with reports indicating the amassing of approximately 50,000 troops near Ukraine’s northern border, particularly around the Kursk front, signaling a potential new offensive targeting the Sumy region.

Prospects for Peace

While the call for a trilateral summit represents a proactive step towards diplomacy, the path to peace remains fraught with challenges. The exclusion of key stakeholders, differing international perspectives, and ongoing military actions complicate the negotiation landscape. Nevertheless, Zelenskyy’s initiative underscores Ukraine’s commitment to seeking a peaceful resolution, provided that its sovereignty and interests are duly represented in any agreements.

Ukrainian drone attack on a settlement, in the course of Russia-Ukraine conflict in the Moscow region, Russia, May 28, 2025

According to Moscow’s defence ministry, nearly 300 drones were fired into Russian airspace overnight

Ukrainian kamikaze drones strike a military facility in Russia in the early hours of May 26, 2025

The proposal by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for a three-way meeting with Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin carries several key geopolitical, strategic, and diplomatic implications—especially as the Russia-Ukraine war enters a critical phase.

🟨 1. Diplomatic Shift Toward Trump-Led Peace Talks

Zelenskyy’s outreach signals openness to a Trump-mediated resolution, possibly anticipating a second Trump presidency.
If Trump agrees, it could sideline the Biden administration’s approach, which emphasizes multilateral NATO-backed efforts rather than personal diplomacy.
It may reignite debates within the U.S. about how foreign policy should be handled—via institutions or individual leadership.

🟧 2. Pressure on Putin—and Leverage

Putin faces a tough choice: accept Zelenskyy’s call and talk, or reject it and risk being blamed for prolonging the war.
A Trump-involved summit could force Moscow into diplomacy it may not control, reducing its leverage.
Alternatively, if China hosts talks without Ukraine, it may embolden Putin and isolate Kyiv diplomatically.

🟥 3. Potential Fracturing of Western Unity

The EU and NATO allies have warned that any deal “behind their backs”—especially excluding Kyiv—would lack legitimacy.
A trilateral meeting could undermine current diplomatic frameworks and weaken the multilateral support that has sustained Ukraine’s resistance.
It may also expose tensions between Trump and European leaders, who might resist any peace deal seen as favoring Moscow.

🟩 4. Impact on the Battlefield

Militarily, the initiative comes amid escalating drone strikes and troop movements.
If the summit talks fail or stall, it could trigger harsher actions by both sides to gain leverage—resulting in a temporary escalation of violence before any peace process.

🟦 5. U.S. Election-Year Dynamics

Trump’s involvement introduces 2024 campaign undertones to global diplomacy, even as he’s not in office.
A successful Trump-mediated summit could boost his foreign policy credentials, while failure could backfire.
Zelenskyy may be hedging bets on who will lead U.S. policy in 2025.

Overall Takeaway:

Ukraine is signaling urgency for a resolution—but under terms that ensure it’s not sidelined. This bold diplomatic move reflects Kyiv’s desire to break the deadlock, capitalize on Trump’s influence with Putin, and assert its sovereignty in peace negotiations.

At the same time, it exposes growing fractures in the global response to the war:

The U.S. is divided between current and potential leadership.
The EU feels bypassed.
Russia is pressured yet may use this to stall or manipulate talks.
And China’s shadow diplomacy complicates the playing field even further.

In short, the proposal marks a high-stakes gamble: it could unlock a path to peace—or spark deeper global divisions, depending on who joins the table and under what terms.