Zelensky and Putin at a meeting in Paris.
Share this @internewscast.com

VLADIMIR Putin and Volodymyr Zelensky have only met in person once before.

The next time they set eyes on each other, it could expose the Russian tyrant as a fraud and a failure before the eyes of his people.

Zelensky and Putin at a meeting in Paris.
Zelensky and Putin attend a meeting on Ukraine with French President and German Chancelor at the Elysee Palace in 2019Credit: AFP
Ukrainian serviceman firing a self-propelled howitzer.
Within three years of the meeting, their two countries would be locked in a full-scale warCredit: Reuters
Presidents Trump and Putin meeting in Alaska.
In the days since Trump’s separate meetings with the two leaders, Moscow has been quick to pour cold water on the prospect of a Putin-Zelensky summitCredit: Reuters

When they initially met, Zelensky had just been inaugurated as the President of Ukraine, achieving a sweeping victory despite lacking any background in politics.

He was previously known for his work as an actor and comedian, gaining international recognition through his portrayal of an unlikely president in the Ukrainian series Servant of the People.

The difference between him and the cold, macho persona of Vladimir Putin was striking during their 2019 meeting at a summit in France.

The pair did not shake hands at the tense, fruitless meeting.

Within three years, their two countries would be locked in Europe’s bloodiest war since 1945.

Putin forced to ‘accept failure’

Donald Trump’s renewed drive to bring the war to a close could bring a once unthinkable second meeting between Zelensky and Putin to reality.

However, in the days since Trump’s separate meetings with the two leaders, Moscow has been quick to pour cold water on the prospect.

Zelensky, whose first language is Russian and performed in Moscow during Putin’s rise to power, has said he is “ready” for a meeting with Vlad.

But the very act of meeting with Zelensky could undermine Putin and the entire rationale for his war in the eyes of Russia.

Scheming Putin WON’T draw a line under Ukraine – here’s why he won’t give up the Donbas

Orysia Lutsevich, who directs the Russia and Eurasia program at Chatham House, conveyed to CNN that Putin “must accept the irony of negotiating with a President he deems a joke from a nation he doesn’t acknowledge.”

Undermines Russia’s war aims

When the Russian leader initiated an attack on Kyiv in February 2022, he justified it with distorted claims that Ukraine was an imaginary nation led by Nazis.

Considering Zelensky’s Jewish heritage, such allegations appear absurd, and Putin engaging with him would implicitly validate the absurdity of the claim.

For Vlad to meet Volod for talks, they would be sat there as two Presidents of legitimate, sovereign nations – something that the Kremlin’s narrative could not possibly abide.

And so long as Ukraine remains armed and sovereign, concession to Zelensky would prove Putin’s war goals a failure.

Russia has shown little indication of making major concessions so far, with the handover of vast swathes of Ukrainian territory to Moscow still Putin’s core condition for peace.

But to avoid Trump’s wrath if talks fall through, Putin will want to shift the blame to Zelensky.

Loggerheads over location

His suggestion that the trilateral summit be held in Moscow – a predictably unacceptable proposal for Ukraine – could have been a calculated move to weasel out.

And had the meeting been held in Russia’s capital against the odds, Putin would have hailed it as a diplomatic coup for the Kremlin – and a chance to humiliate Ukraine’s war leader.

But Vlad’s surrogates have taken to the airwaves to dampen expectations around a summit.

Russia’ Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has said a meeting would have to be prepared “gradually… starting with the expert level and thereafter going through all the required steps“.

Lavrov added today that not involving Russia in discussions around Ukraine’s security guarantees is a “road to nowhere”.

Disputes around the proposed location for the summit have also presented headaches for diplomats.

While a Moscow meeting between the pair remains unlikely, other venues have also proved controversial.

Suggestions for it to be held in Budapest were lambasted by Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk.

He said: “Not everyone may remember this, but in 1994 Ukraine already got assurances of territorial integrity from the US, Russia and the UK.

“In Budapest. Maybe I’m superstitious, but this time I would try to find another place.”

Switzerland, Qatar and Austria have been floated as other prospective venues.

But Putin will be wary of a European location – where most states would be obliged to arrest him under an ICC warrant.

Zelensky, Macron, and Trump walking down a staircase.
Disputes around the proposed location for a summit have presented headaches for diplomatsCredit: EPA
Zelensky, Macron, Putin, and Merkel at a meeting in Paris.
To avoid Trump’s wrath if talks fall through, Putin will want to shift the blame to ZelenskyCredit: AFP
Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Florida man cites barber appointment after getting clocked going more than 100 mph

Florida Man Caught Speeding Over 100 mph Claims He Was Rushing to Barber Appointment

A Florida man who was clocked going more than 100 miles per…
Teen charged with murder after allegedly killing two girls in deadly hit-and-run crash: prosecutor

Teen Accused of Murder After Fatal Hit-and-Run Kills Two Girls, According to Prosecutor

Two teen girls were killed in a hit-and-run incident in New Jersey…
Lawmakers expect shutdown to drag on for at least a week

Legislators anticipate the government shutdown will continue for at least another week.

Senators anticipate the government shutdown will extend until at least the middle…
Random blue city stabbing death fuels new bail bill as ‘activists’ ripped for lack of crime crackdown: expert

911 Audio Released of Fatal Train Stabbing of Iryna Zarutska in Charlotte

The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department has released recordings of five 911 calls made…
Mountain bikers find missing hiker wandering wilderness in underwear

Lost hiker discovered in wilderness by mountain bikers, found wearing only underwear

A group of resourceful mountain bikers encountered a hiker missing for two…
RECAP: 'Golden Bachelor' women roast Mel for ageist comments during group date, Debbie gets 1-on-1 date

Summary: ‘Golden Bachelor’ women criticize Mel for ageist remarks on group date; Debbie receives a solo date

NEW YORK — The week kicked off at “Bachelor Mansion” where the…
Former University of Kentucky athlete competed months before police allegedly found dead infant in closet

Former Kentucky student-athlete faces charges in infant’s death after reportedly hearing ‘whimper’ before concealing him in closet: authorities

The former University of Kentucky student-athlete accused of concealing her deceased newborn…
Des Moines Public School Board accepts superintendent's resignation after ICE arrest

Des Moines School Board Approves Superintendent’s Resignation Following ICE Detention

The Des Moines Public Schools board has accepted the resignation of a…
Son accused of brutally beating his mother to death with gardening tool over inheritance: police

Man Allegedly Kills Mother in Violent Attack Using Garden Tool in Dispute Over Inheritance: Authorities

A Missouri man is behind bars after authorities say he allegedly beat…
Jane Fonda relaunches free speech organization founded by her father

Jane Fonda revives her father’s free speech organization

The Committee for the First Amendment was originally founded in the 1940s…
Federal government could resume taking DACA applications for permits to live and work in U.S.

U.S. Government May Start Accepting New DACA Applications for Work and Residency Permits

The federal government is expected to start accepting new applications for a…
Gaza flotilla: Activists including Greta Thunberg say Israeli navy has begun intercepting a Gaza-bound aid flotilla

Gaza Flotilla: Activists, Including Greta Thunberg, Report Interception by Israeli Navy

BARCELONA, Spain — Activists traveling on a flotilla of vessels headed towards…