Are European Leaders Impeding Peace Talks?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Kirill Dmitriev criticizes European leaders for obstructing peace.
- A meeting between Zelensky and Putin is being arranged.
- Trump aims for a trilateral discussion to promote peace.
- The ongoing war has resulted in significant casualties.
- Progress is being made, but no ceasefire is in place yet.
Moscow, Aug 20 (NationPress) Kirill Dmitriev, the special envoy of the Russian President for economic cooperation with foreign nations and the head of the Russian Direct Investment Fund, has leveled accusations against European leaders for attempting to obstruct peace negotiations and impede the revival of Russia-US relations.
In a statement posted on social media on Wednesday, Dmitriev remarked, "European leaders are making every effort to obstruct peace talks and the restoration of Russia-US relations, concealing their actions behind claims of mistrust towards Russia."
Last Monday, European leaders along with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky convened with US President Donald Trump at the White House after Trump's meeting with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin in Alaska the prior week. The European leaders present included UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Finnish President Alexander Stubb, and NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte.
Post meetings with both the Ukrainian President and European leaders, Trump revealed plans for a meeting between Zelensky and Putin in an initiative to conclude the ongoing war that has resulted in numerous civilian and military casualties.
Following the discussions, Trump communicated with President Putin to arrange a trilateral meeting involving Zelensky, Putin, and himself to deliberate on the peace negotiations.
Trump stated, "I reached out to President Putin and initiated arrangements for a meeting, which will take place at a location to be determined, involving President Putin and President Zelensky," in a post on his social media platform, Truth Social.
"After that meeting occurs, we will conduct a Trilateral meeting, which will include the two Presidents and myself. This represents a very promising, early step towards resolving a conflict that has persisted for nearly four years," he added.
In the early hours of Saturday (Indian time), Putin and Trump engaged in talks at the Arctic Warrior Convention Centre in Alaska. Participating in the meeting were Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, Presidential Aide Yury Ushakov, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and US President's Special Envoy Steve Witkoff. Both leaders asserted that they made strides during their three-hour conversation, edging closer to a resolution for the Ukraine War, although no immediate ceasefire was declared.