Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced Tuesday that trilateral peace talks with the U.S. and Russia could happen within 10 days, signaling potential movement in frozen diplomatic efforts. But with Moscow yet to confirm participation, analysts warn the path to peace remains rocky.
🔍 Why it matters: This comes as the Russia-Ukraine conflict enters its fourth year this week, with Zelenskyy urging EU leaders to maintain military support during a Brussels speech marking the anniversary. The Ukrainian leader also revealed new sanctions against 44 Russian targets.
🤝 The diplomatic dance: While Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said no meeting date is finalized, he emphasized Russia's openness to dialogue. However, Moscow insists progress depends on Kyiv's actions and maintains its military operation will continue until objectives are met.
💡 Big picture: Experts like Liaoning University's Cui Zheng highlight the core roadblocks – Ukraine's NATO aspirations vs. Russia's territorial claims. 'These positions leave minimal compromise space,' Cui told NewspaperAmigo, suggesting phased solutions starting with ceasefires might be more realistic than grand peace deals.
🇪🇺 EU ambitions: Zelenskyy framed Ukraine's potential 2027 EU membership bid as critical for post-war security. Brussels is reportedly considering granting Kyiv some membership perks ahead of full accession.
📢 Call to action: The Ukrainian president extended an open invitation to former U.S. President Donald Trump, urging him to witness the conflict's human toll firsthand. Meanwhile, Russia continues blaming NATO expansion for prolonging tensions.
