Russia said Tuesday that any deal to end the war in Ukraine must safeguard its own security and the rights of Russians living in the country, as Kyiv’s allies moved closer to possible peace negotiations.
The statement came a day after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and European leaders met in Washington with U.S. President Donald Trump, who said he had also spoken by phone with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Trump later announced plans to host a three-way summit aimed at brokering peace.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told state broadcaster Rossiya 24 that any talks must “respect Russia’s security interests” and be prepared “very thoroughly.” He said the protection of Russian-speaking communities in Ukraine must also be guaranteed.
If held, a face-to-face meeting between Zelensky and Putin would be their first since Moscow launched its full-scale invasion in 2022. The conflict, now in its fourth year, has killed tens of thousands and left the front lines largely frozen, despite recent Russian gains.
French President Emmanuel Macron confirmed that France and Britain on Tuesday co-hosted a virtual meeting of about 30 allies—dubbed the “coalition of the willing”—to review progress and prepare for negotiations. Geneva has been floated as a possible venue. Macron also warned against any settlement that forces Ukraine to concede more territory to Moscow.
In Kyiv, many residents expressed scepticism that diplomacy could end the war. “They can meet as many times as they want but Putin doesn’t need it, and Donald Trump doesn’t really know what to do,” said Anton, a 32-year-old warehouse worker.
But in Moscow, some expressed cautious optimism. “I hope we can agree on mutually beneficial terms,” said Vyacheslav, a 23-year-old civil servant.
Trump, who met Putin in Alaska last week, wrote on his Truth Social platform that he had secured a commitment from Putin to discuss peace terms. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz confirmed that the Kremlin had agreed to a bilateral meeting with Ukraine within the next two weeks.
Zelensky said he was “ready” to meet Putin and described the Washington talks as “a truly significant step toward ending the war and ensuring the security of Ukraine and our people.”
Security guarantees remain central to the discussions. Trump said they would be provided by European nations “in coordination with the United States,” while ruling out Ukraine’s NATO membership. According to the Financial Times, Kyiv has agreed to purchase $100 billion in U.S. weapons—financed by Europe—in exchange for U.S.-backed guarantees. Zelensky later spoke of a $90-billion package, adding that terms would be finalised within 10 days.
The push for peace comes against a backdrop of continued bloodshed. Hours before Monday’s summit in Washington, a Russian drone strike on an apartment block in Kharkiv killed seven people, including two children.
Despite the momentum, questions remain over whether Trump will pressure Ukraine to make major concessions, including ceding Crimea and abandoning its NATO ambitions—longstanding demands from Putin.
