President Trump’s diplomatic overture hit a significant roadblock Friday when Russia’s foreign minister dismissed the possibility of an immediate summit between Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov declared the Kremlin was “not ready at all” for such a high-level meeting, casting doubt on the American president’s announced plans for direct talks between the two leaders.
Earlier this week, Trump had proclaimed via social media that he was orchestrating a face-to-face encounter between the Russian and Ukrainian presidents. The announcement came after intensive discussions with European officials at the White House, though specifics remained sparse.
Moscow’s response has been notably cautious. On Tuesday, Lavrov suggested any meeting would require extensive groundwork, emphasizing the need for “step by step” preparation beginning with expert-level consultations before advancing through diplomatic channels.
His Friday remarks were even more dismissive. Lavrov portrayed the Ukrainian leader as inflexible, citing Zelenskyy’s refusal to abandon NATO membership aspirations or accept Russia’s territorial conditions.
“Putin stands ready for dialogue when summit preparations are complete, but no such groundwork exists,” Lavrov told NBC. “Zelenskyy has rejected every proposal. How does one negotiate with someone merely posturing as a leader?”
Despite Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s earlier claims that Putin had committed to direct talks—a development Rubio characterized as promising—European officials remain doubtful about Moscow’s genuine interest in meaningful negotiations.
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas emphasized Friday that “Russia has offered zero concessions while maintaining their role as aggressor in this conflict.”
Zelenskyy countered Russian narratives, suggesting Moscow was deliberately stalling to avoid potential American economic penalties. Trump has warned of imposing sanctions on Russia and its trade partners should the Kremlin refuse participation in peace efforts.
“Every effort must be made to prevent Russia from evading this meeting,” Zelenskyy stated during a Kyiv press briefing alongside NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte. “Their actions seem designed to shield themselves from President Trump’s threatened sanctions.”
French President Macron had already expressed skepticism before the White House consultations. “Does Putin genuinely desire peace? My honest assessment is no,” he declared Monday.
Five European Union diplomats, speaking confidentially about the delicate negotiations, largely echoed Macron’s assessment, according to sources.
Meanwhile, Russian military strikes persist across Ukraine, with missiles and drones continuing to target civilian areas and critical infrastructure, resulting in ongoing casualties and destruction.
