Vance Says U.S., Russia, Ukraine Trilateral Summit in the Works... Ukraine, Europe Warn Against Exclusion
Vance Interview with Fox News
U.S. Ambassador to NATO: "The President Will Decide"
Ukraine and Europe Demand Equal Participation and Security Guarantees
U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance announced on August 10 (local time) that President Donald Trump is working to arrange a trilateral summit with both Russian and Ukrainian leaders in attendance, aimed at ending the war in Ukraine. Amid concerns about the possibility of "Ukraine being sidelined," both Ukraine and major European countries are demanding equal participation in negotiations and guarantees for their security.
In an interview with Fox News' "Sunday Morning Futures," conducted on August 8 and released on this day, Vice President Vance stated that the lack of progress in ceasefire negotiations so far was "because Russian President Vladimir Putin has refused to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky." He added, "President Trump has persuaded him to change his position." Vance further explained, "We are currently working to coordinate the schedules so that all three leaders can sit at the negotiating table and discuss ending the conflict."
Vice President Vance emphasized, "We will seek a deal that allows both Ukraine and Russia to end the killing and enjoy relative peace." He added, "Neither side will be completely satisfied, but President Trump forcing both presidents to sit down and resolve their differences is the path to peace."
He also made it clear that the United States will not provide additional funding to support Ukraine's defense. Vice President Vance stated, "The United States has ended funding for the Ukraine war effort," and continued, "We want a peaceful solution to this issue and we want the killing to stop. The American people are tired of pouring money and taxes into this particular conflict."
President Trump is scheduled to discuss ending the war with President Putin in Alaska on August 15. Depending on the outcome of this meeting, there is a possibility that a subsequent trilateral summit including President Zelensky will be convened. NBC reported that the White House is considering inviting President Zelensky to the meeting location in Alaska, but his attendance has not yet been confirmed. The White House explained that while President Trump is open to a trilateral summit, the current focus is on preparing for the bilateral meeting requested by President Putin.
Matthew Whitaker, U.S. Ambassador to NATO, also commented on this in an interview with CNN, stating, "President Trump will make the decision," and added, "He is scheduled to meet President Putin in Alaska on Friday, and if he determines that inviting President Zelensky is the best scenario, he will do so."
Meanwhile, President Zelensky has criticized any ceasefire talks that exclude Ukraine as being contrary to peace, and is demanding equal participation in the negotiations. He also reaffirmed his position that there will be no territorial concessions to Russia in order to end the war.
Currently, President Putin maintains that a ceasefire can only be considered if Crimea, which was forcibly annexed in 2014, and the eastern Donbas region, occupied since the outbreak of war in 2022, are recognized as Russian territory. As a result, scenarios in which the United States would agree to cede parts of Ukrainian territory to Russia as part of a ceasefire are being discussed.
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Leaders of major European countries have also expressed concerns about Ukraine being left out. In a joint statement on August 9, they emphasized, "The path to peace cannot be decided without Ukraine," reaffirming the principle of no changes to borders by force and the need for security guarantees for Ukraine. Ukraine and major European countries maintain that ceasefire talks should proceed only on the condition that current frontlines are maintained, and that economic sanctions against Russia must continue. Bloomberg reported that European leaders wish to speak with President Trump before his meeting with President Putin. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte also stated in an interview with ABC that both the issues of Ukrainian territory and security guarantees must be on the negotiating table.
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