U.S. President Donald Trump’s approach to ending the Russia-Ukraine war is being met with deep skepticism, and Russia's foreign minister signaled that lower-level meetings need to happen before Vladimir Putin meets with Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Moscow

Russian forces have invaded Ukraine from land, air and sea with strikes causing widespread damage. Global leaders have condemned the move and imposed sanctions.

Ukraine Invasion

Russia has signaled it is not prepared for a direct summit between President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, instead offering to hold talks between higher-level officials. Ukrainian officials interpret this as a delay tactic, expressing skepticism about Russia's intentions, especially as military actions continue.

While some international figures, including Donald Trump, have attempted to broker a summit, European leaders have called for concrete actions from Russia, such as an immediate ceasefire, which has been rejected. The only security guarantees Russia has previously supported would allow it to veto military assistance to Ukraine, highlighting significant diplomatic differences.

Russia signals it's in no rush for a Putin-Zelenskyy meeting

Donald Trump has turned traditional diplomacy on its head with leaders meeting first and the details sorted out later. It may be effective in real estate but whether his approach can resolve the Ukraine war faces deep skepticism especially in Ukraine. Classic diplomacy is all about preparation work and summit as a result of a year, year and a half of preparation work. Now we see no preparation whatsoever and just meetings, meetings, meetings at the highest level. Trump is trying to broker a summit between Vladimir Zelensky and Vladimir Putin. Two men who despise each other. Their only in-person meeting in Paris in 2019 did nothing to prevent Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine three years later. The only commitment Russia's foreign minister offered Wednesday was a meeting not between presidents but higher level officials. Ukrainians see that as another stalling tactic and have little faith anyway. There must be guarantees of peace so Russia does not have the opportunity to attack and kill our people, he said. But while Trump says he believes Putin wants peace German officials are among the Europeans demanding Putin back that up with deeds like an immediate ceasefire which he's rejected. Indeed, Russia is continuing to bomb Ukrainian cities and is pushing ahead with grinding attacks on the ground. In the past, the only security guarantees that Russia has supported for Ukraine involve the United Nations meaning Russia could veto any military assistance for Ukraine should Russia attack again in the future which underscores just how vast the diplomatic gaps are. Chris Brown, CBC News, London.

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Jerusalem

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Israel begins Gaza City operation

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New York

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Russia signals more talks needed before Zelenskyy-Putin meeting

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Texas

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Israel calls up 60,000 reservists ahead of Gaza City operation

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Brussels

NATO chiefs meet virtually about potential Ukraine security guarantees

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Israel approves next phase of Gaza offensive, focus on Gaza City

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North Carolina

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Mediators await Israeli response to Gaza ceasefire proposal

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East Coast of the United States

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Trump meeting with Zelenskiy, European leaders at White House

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Kyiv

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Russia signals it's in no rush for a Putin-Zelenskyy meeting

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Ukraine Invasion