As Zelenskyy looks for direct talks, Putin deals with problem: legitimise Ukrainian leader or threat Trump’s ire?

Russian President Vladimir Putin is challenging a tactical issue after United States President Donald Trump advised him to satisfy in person with Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy. For many years, Putin has actually dismissed Zelenskyy as an invalid Western puppet, a story he has actually utilized to validate Russia’s 2022 attack. Declining Trump’s demand might provoke fresh sanctions from Washington while concurring to talks dangers weakening his long-held position at home.

The possibility of such a top has actually ended up being a main concern following Trump’s current conference with Putin in Alaska and subsequent talks with Zelenskyy and European leaders in Washington.

Trump has actually provided the concept as a next action towards a peace procedure, however he himself acknowledged the stress. “They have not been precisely friends,” he stated, including that any conference would need mindful foundation.

Putin’s bind: Domestic image vs United States pressure

Putin has actually consistently cast Zelenskyy as a figure without genuine authority, questioning his authenticity after Ukraine extended his required beyond the regular term due to wartime conditions. He has actually argued that just “genuine authorities” can sign binding arrangements, firmly insisting that a conference needs to occur at the conclusion of peace settlements not at their start.

Russian authorities have actually echoed this position. Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov worried that “contacts including leading authorities need to be prepared with the utmost care,” Kremlin language for dismissing instant talks. Others in Moscow have actually mocked Zelenskyy as unserious, strengthening Putin’s hesitation to raise him by giving direct talks.

Neglecting Trump brings threats. The United States president has actually currently alerted of additional sanctions if Moscow withstands his peace push. For Putin, who has actually attempted to stabilize battleground escalation with the look of openness to diplomacy, the stakes are high.

Beyond Ukraine: Russia’s broader conflict with the West

Experts stress that the problem extends beyond Zelenskyy himself. Tatiana Stanovayasenior fellow at the Carnegie Russia Eurasia and creator of R.Politik informed CNN that for Putin, Ukraine is just the “battleground” in a more comprehensive fight with the West. “In Putin’s eyes, Zelenskyy is not a gamer. Ukrainians combat just due to the fact that of Western assistance,” she stated.

Putin’s vision for settlements with Washington extends far beyond territorial compromises in Ukraine. He looks for a restructuring of Europe’s post– Cold War security order, something Trump may be more available to than European leaders. This is why, regardless of his contempt for Zelenskyy, Putin might still think about a conference if encouraged it would move wider talks with the United States forward.

History of unsuccessful encounters

The only previous conference in between Putin and Zelenskyy can be found in 2019, when hopes briefly flickered that peace may be possible after Moscow’s addition of Crimea. Rather, conflicts over executing ceasefire steps thwarted development, and relations rapidly soured. Ever since, the 2 have actually not fulfilled.

Zelenskyy has actually long argued that a direct discussion with Putin is important to end the war. Just recently, he softened his position even more by dropping a need for a ceasefire as a prerequisite for talks. “I believe we need to fulfill without conditions and explore what development can be made on the course to ending the war,” he stated after assessments with Trump and European allies.

A high-risk gamble for Putin

Still, Putin has actually revealed little disposition to accept. He has actually recommended resuming talks in formats such as the Istanbul channel, however with a higher-level delegation led by authorities like Lavrov, preventing an individually encounter with Zelenskyy that might expose him to political dangers in the house.

In the meantime, the Kremlin leader appears torn in between protecting his story of Zelenskyy as a helpless figure and preventing a rupture with Trump, whose function he views as important to improving any ultimate settlement.

“Putin will not run the risk of an ambush where all his needs are turned down,” Stanovaya included. “But if Trump can press Kyiv towards versatility, then a conference with Zelenskyy might all of a sudden end up being beneficial.”