Hey fam, big news on the Ukraine front! Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov just dropped that President Putin is game for a face-to-face with President Zelenskyy—if, and only if, all the nitty-gritty is sorted beforehand. 🤝🕊️
Why Legitimacy Matters
Lavrov’s main concern? Who’s actually got the power to sign a peace deal. Since wartime delays have pushed Ukraine’s next election past Zelenskyy’s term, Moscow’s worried a future leader could void any agreement. So, policymakers and experts need to iron out every detail before any summit handshake.
Zelenskyy’s Call for Backup
Back in Kyiv, Zelenskyy fired right back: “We’re ready for talks, but if Russia bails, we want Washington to step up with a strong reaction.” 🇺🇸 He’s keen for clear security guarantees, while EU leaders stay skeptical of Putin’s peace intentions.
Where Could Talks Happen?
Hungary—Russia’s closest EU ally—has floated Budapest as a host city. Zelenskyy called that “challenging,” but the offer is on the table. Lavrov, meanwhile, insists the best blueprint is last year’s Istanbul draft—though Kyiv rejected it over fears of a Russian veto on military aid.
All eyes are on the next move in this diplomatic maze. Will the talks go ahead? And can both sides bridge the trust gap? Stay tuned for the latest updates! ✌️
Reference(s):
Putin prepared to meet Zelenskyy but legitimacy an issue, Lavrov says
cgtn.com
