Kyiv (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has urged a trilateral summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump as he aims to compel Russia to end its ongoing three-year war.
Earlier this month, Russian President Putin dismissed requests for a meeting with Zelensky in Turkey, asserting that any meeting between the two presidents would only occur once an understanding is established. Trump has voiced his annoyance towards both Putin and Zelensky for failing to reach a deal to conclude the war.
How is Zelensky calling for a trilateral summit?
“If the Russian president is hesitant about a bilateral meeting; however, if there is a preference for a trilateral meeting, I have no objections. I am prepared for any option format,”
The Ukrainian president said in remarks to reporters.
He expressed he was “ready” for a “Trump-Putin-me” meeting and also called on the US to impose tough sanctions on Russia’s banking and energy companies.
“We are waiting for sanctions from the US,”
The Ukrainian president stated.
“The US president confirmed that if Moscow does not stop, sanctions will be charged. We discussed two major aspects with him — energy and the banking system. Will America be able to levy sanctions on these two sectors? I would very much like that.”
Zelensky had previously shown frustration towards the US for not announcing new sanctions on Russia after Moscow dismissed a joint Western request for an immediate truce.
What damage did the weekend Russian attacks cause?
Over the weekend preceding May 27, 2025, Russia launched one of the largest aerial bombardments of the war against Ukraine, involving nearly 370 missiles and drones, which killed at least 13 people, including children. It caused widespread damage across multiple Ukrainian regions.
This large-scale assault was part of a series of intense Russian drone and missile attacks over consecutive nights, resulting in significant civilian casualties and infrastructure damage.
Following a devastating missile strike in Moscow that resulted in at least 13 fatalities across Ukraine over the weekend, the US president labeled the Russian president as insane while continuing to express strong criticism toward him.
